THE
PUBLICATIONS
OF THE
^efben ^ocie^^
TTspl TravTos Tr)v sXsvdspiav
VOLUME XIII
FOR THE YEAR 1899
^efben ^qcxH^
Founded 1887
TO ENCOUBAGE THE STUDY AND ADVANCE THE KNOWLEDGE
OF THE HISTOEY OF ENGLISH LAW.
IpatrottB :
HIS MAJESTY THE KING.
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CORNWALL AND YORK.
prcsiOent :
THE EIGHT HON. LORD MACNAGHTEN.
IDtcc^ipresiDents :
THE HON. MR. JUSTICE STIRLING.
SIR HOWARD ELPHINSTONE, BART.
Council :
Mr. J. T. Atkinson.
Mk. Henry Attlee.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Bruce.
Mr. a. T. Carter.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Channell.
Mr. Chadwyck Healey, K.C.
Mr. F. a. Inderwick, K.C.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Joyce.
Sir H. C. M. Lyte, K.C.B.
Mr. a. Stuart Moore.
Mr. R. Pennington.
Sir F. Pollock, Bart.
Mr. W. C. Renshaw, K.C.
Mr. T. Cyprian Williams.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Wills.
Xiterarg Director :
Professor F. W. Maitland (Downing College, Cambridge).
BuDltors :
Mr. J. W. Clark. Mr. Hubert Hall.
Ibonorarg Secretary :
Mr. B. Fossett Lock (11 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, London).
Ibonorarg G^reasurer :
Mr. Francis K. Munton (95a Queen Victoria Street, London).
Don. Secretary an5 treasurer tor tbc TUnlteZ) States :
Mr Richard W. Hale (10 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.).
^tM p(m of (^ pmt
^efl»en ^ocitt^
SELECT PLEAS OF THE FOEEST
EDITED
FOE THE SELDEN SOCIETY
BY
G. J. TUKNEE, M.A.
OF Lincoln's inn, baerister-at-law
LONDON
BERNARD QUARITCH, 16 PICCADILLY
1901
All righti reserved
,- A-
PEEFACE
The text of this volume consists for the most part of extracts from
the eyre rolls of the tenth year of the reign of John and of the latter
half of the reign of Henry III. The rest consists of forest inquisitions,
upon which some of the eyre rolls printed in this volume were based,
some perambulations of the reign of Edward I. and a few other
miscellaneous documents. The MSS. relating to Essex (pp. 69-74)
are in the British Museum ; all the others are in the Public Record
Office.
The Introduction is confined to a description of the forest laws
of the thirteenth century ; and it has been found impossible to deal
with every branch of them, even within this limited period. No docu-
ments explaining the rights of common enjoyed by the inhabitants of
the forests are printed in this volume, nor is any account given of them
in the Introduction. Common is a large subject, and in the judgment
of the editor it is not convenient to treat common in forests apart
from common elsewhere.
The Glossary includes words used in documents relating to the
forest administration even though they are not mentioned in the text
of this volume. Numerous examples are printed in it which illustrate
the use and purpose of the hounds used in the middle ages, but an
attempt to show their relation to hounds of modern times is deemed
to lie outside the scope of this work.
The editor has to thank Mr. J. H. Willis for a valuable note on
one of the words mentioned in the Glossary ; Mr. Henry Bradley, of
Exeter College, Oxford, and Mr. Victor Kastncr, professor of the French
i\mv^
VI SELECT PLEAS OF THE FOREST
Language in Owens College, Manchester, for advice about the
French text printed on pp. 125-128 ; Mr. E. B. Turton, of the Inner
Temple, who read the greater part of the text in proof, for many useful
suggestions ; Miss K. S. Martin for assistance in collating the text
and for the verification of most of the dates and references in the
book ; and Miss E. M. Samson for compiling the Index of Matters.
The assistance of the Literary Director and the Hon. Secretary has
been invaluable ; and the latter has devoted more time and attention
to this volume than the Society or its editor could have hoped to
secure. Daring the unfortunate illness of the Literary Director,
Mr. C. E. H. Chadwyck Healey very kindly acted in his stead.
The labour of endeavouring to recover from the plea rolls a
branch of law of which little has been known for a long time past
has not been inconsiderable ; and the editor hopes that, if his efforts
have been successful, the delay that has thus been occasioned will
not be regretted by members of the Society. The volume should
have appeared in 1899, and represents that year in the Society's
Publications.
July 1901.
Note In the king's Chancery of the the spelling of the clerks who enrolled
thirteenth century the letter v was used to forest proceedings differed from that of the
represent the initial letter u, even when the clerks of the Chancery, the exact use of the
initial had a vowel sound. Thus the clerks letters u and v has been followed in the
of the Chancery wrote ' vt,' ' vnuni ' and text printed in this volume. As the docu-
' vnde.' In the middle of a word they used ments quoted in the Introduction are short
the letter m, even when it had a con- and are derived from various sources, little
sonantal sound. The clerks of the Ex- information can be obtained from them
chequer and the two Benches used the about the use of the letters u and v. For
letters u and v in the same fashion. Else- this reason the letter u is printed in the
where, however, the letter v was occasion- Latin documents quoted in the Introduc-
ally used in the middle of a word. This tion, even when it is represented in the
was the case in the forest eyre rolls ; and original by the letter v.
as it is of some interest to notice how far
CONTENTS
Introduction
Appendix I. (Charter of the Forest)
Appendix II
PAGE
ix-cxxxiv
. cxxxv-cxxxvii
cxxxviii-cxxxix
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS.
I. Northamptonshire, a.d. 1209
II. Rutland, a.d. 1209
III. Salop, a.d. 1209 .
IV. Huntingdonshire, a.d. 1255 .
V. (a) Northamptonshire, a.d. 1255
(b) „ a.d. 1272
VI. (a) Somerset, a.d. 1257 .
(b) „ A.D. 1270 .
VII. Rutland, a.d. 1269 .
VIII. Surrey, a.d. 1270 .
IX. (a) Nottinghamshire, a.d. 1287
(6) „ A.D. 1334
2-6
6-7
&-10
11-26
27-38
38-41
41-42
42-43
43-53
54-61
61-64
65-69
SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS.
X. Essex, a.d. 1238-1242
XI. Huntingdon, a.d. 1248-1253 ....
XII. (a) Northamptonshire, a.d. 1246-1250 .
(6) „ a.d. 1251-1255 ,
69-74
74-79
79-93
94-116
PERAMBULATIONS.
XIII. Rutland, a.d. 1299
Windsor, Surrey, a.d. 1300 ....
Warwick, a.d. 1300
Nottingham, a.d. 1300
116-117
117-118
118 119
119-121
vm SELECT PLEAS OF THE FOREST
INQUISITIONS.
PAGE
XIV. (a) Forest of Bernwood, a.d. 1266 121-122
(6) Forest of Whittlewood, a.d. 1278 123-124
XV. Somerset, a.d. 1279 125-128
PLEAS OF THE WARREN.
XVI. Cambridge, a.d. 1286 129-131
Glossary 133-153
Index of Matters 155-159
Index of Persons 161-182
Index of Places 183-192
INTRODUCTION.
THE FORESTS IN THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY.
I. The Forest and the Beasts of the Forest.
II. The Forest Officers.
III. The Lesser Courts of the Forest.
IV. The Forest Eyre.
V. The Regard.
VI. The Clergy.
VII. The Extent of the Forests.
VIII. The Chase, the Park and the Warren.
I.
THE FOREST AND THE BEASTS OF THE FOREST.
In mediseval England a forest • was a definite tract of land within
which a particular body of law was enforced, having for its object the
preservation of certain animals /e?'ae naturae. Most of the forests were
the property of the Crown, but from time to time the kings alienated
some of them to their subjects. Thus the forest of Pickering ^ in York-
shire and all those in the county of Lancaster were in the fourteenth
century held by the Earls of Lancaster, who enforced ^ the forest laws
over them just as the king did in his own forests. But although the
king or a subject might be seised of a forest, he was not necessarily
seised of all the land which it comprised. Other pei'sons might
' The word forest is often used in official at forest eyres held in 8 Ed. iii. The pro-
documents of the middle ages in the ceedings there transcribed show conclu-
singular where according to modern usage sively that the full body of the forest laws
the plural would be expected. Thus, the was enforced in the forests of Henry earl
usual expression is 'justice of the forest of Lancaster. The reference to the Cow-
south of Trent ' instead of 'justice of the cher Book is Duchy of Lancaster Miscel-
forests south of Trent.' Utneous Book, No. 1.
- The Great Cowcher Book of the Duchy ^ The privileges which the Earls of
of Lancaster contains transcripts of pleas Lancaster enjoyed in these forests were
of the forests of Lancaster and Pickering exceplional. See p. cxii below.
X INTRODUCTION
possess lands within the bounds of a forest, but were not allowed the
right of hunting or of cutting trees in them at their own will.
The history of the English forests may conveniently be divided
into three periods, of which the first extended from the earliest times
till 1217, the year of the granting of the Charter of the Forest; the
second from 1217 till 1301, when large tracts were disafforested by
king Edward I.; and the third from 1301 till the present day.
This volume is concerned chiefly with the second of these periods ; for
until this has been studied in detail it will be impossible, owing to
lack of documents to do more than make conjectures about the earlier
period ; and after 1301 the whole forest administration was from
various causes in a state of decay.
In the forests the red deer and the fallow deer were strictly pre-
served,' as were also certain other animals ; but to ascertain which
these were will require some consideration. Manwood in his ' Treatise
on the Forest Laws,' which was written ^ at the end of the sixteenth
century, declared that there were five beasts of the forest, the hart,
the hind, the hare, the wild boar and the wolf : in other words, the
red deer, the hare, the wild boar and the wolf, the hart and the
hind being respectively the male and female of the red deer. But
although Manwood did not include the fallow deer in the class of
beasts of the forest, he inserted it in another class with the fox, the
marten and the roe, which he called beasts ^ of the chase. The law,
however, recognised no such distinction between the red deer and the
fallow deer ; for if the words ' beasts of the forest ' have any legal
significance, they must refer to those beasts which are the particular
subject of the forest laws, and as the laws relating to the red deer were
precisely the same as those relating to the fallow deer, both species
ought to be placed in the same class.
Again, Manwood's exclusion of the roe from the beasts of the
forest, although true in his own time, was not true of the period under
our consideration. During the thirteenth century the roe was the
subject of the forest laws in all parts of England. But in the
thirteenth year of the reign of Edward III. the court of the King's
Bench decided ^ that the roe was not a beast of the forest but of the
' The two principal legal incidents which ransom,
attached to a beast of the forest were that '^ The first edition appeared in 1598, a
if it were found dead an inquisition was second in 1599, and a third, much enlarged,
held upon it by four neifrhbouring town- in 1615.
ships ; and if a trespasser was convicted of ' As to the beasts of the chase see p. cxiv
killing it, he was adjudged to prison at below.
the forest eyre, from which he was released ^ Coram Eege Rolls 315, Eot. 106 ;
on payment of a sum of money by way of Patent KoU 197, m. 17.
THE BEASTS OF THE FOREST xi
warren, on the ground that it drove a\Yay the other deer. The cir-
cumstances in which this decision was given and its terms deserve
notice. In the forest eyre of 12 Ed. III. Henry de Percy put forward
a claim to have woodwards carrying bows and arrows in his woods
in his manor of Seamer, which was within the forest of Pickering,
and also to have the right of hunting and taking roes, as well within
the covert of the forest as outside. The Earl of Lancaster, to whom
the king had granted the forest and all his rights over it, opposed
the latter of these claims on the ground that the roe was a beast of the
forest, and that the right demanded was against the assize of the
forest. It must here be observed that it was not uncommon for the
king to make grants of the right of hunting hares and foxes in his
forests ; and it may be presumed that the owner of a forest such as
the Earl of Lancaster would do the same. So, too, certain forest
officials claimed the right ' of hunting the hare and the fox as ap-
pendant to their offices. There are, however, no instances of a right
of hunting any kind of deer being exercised except by the kmg
or the owner of a forest. No ordinance is extant which deals with
the subject ; but probably all that the Earl meant when he pleaded
that the right demanded was against the assize of the forest was that
it was without precedent and against policy. The justices in eyre
adjourned the claim for consideration by the Court of King's Bench,
which gave judgment as follows :
Et super hoc uisis et examinatis clameis ac recordo et processu predictis
at habito inde tractatu et diligenti deliberacione cum cancellario thesaurario
iusticiariis et aliis de consilio domini regis, quod licet tempore domiiii
Edwardi quondam regis Angl' aui domini regis nunc quo tempore predicta
foresta fuit in manu ipsius ai;i domini regis nunc transgressores, qui
conuicti erant de capcione capriolorum, fecerunt finem ut pro transgressione
uenacionis foreste, prout per recordum predict! Willelmi de Uescy et sociorum
suorum est compertum, uidetur tamen iusticiariis hie et consilio domini regis
quod caprioli sunt bestie de warenna et non de foresta eo quod fugant aUas
feras de foresta.
Thus the roe ceased to be a beast of the forest in consequence of
a kind of judicial ordinance, a decision given after consultation with
the great officers of state, based, not upon precedent or analogy, but
upon the broad ground of practical convenience.
The remaining beast of the forest was the wild boar,- which was
' See p. 67 below. it is taken from the Gloucester eyre rolls
^ The following is an example of the of January 12-58 :
boar being treated as a beast of the f-orest ; 'Fresentatumestper eosderaet conuictum
XU INTRODUCTION
already scarce in the thirteenth century. Entries on the forest eyre
rolls show that it belonged to the same class of animals as the red
deer, the fallow deer and the roe ; but such entries occur seldom, and
in many of the rolls of the great eyre, which began m 1256 and ex-
tended over many counties, the wild boar is not mentioned at all.'
But besides omitting one animal from his list of beasts of the
forest, ^lanwood wrongly inserted two others. The hare should have
no place in his list of such beasts. If we look through the rolls of the
forests, we find that, except in a few special instances, the hare was
not preserved by the forest laws. It is true that it enjoyed a certain
measure of protection by reason of the assize,^ which prohibited grey-
hounds and dogs from being brought within the forest, but this pro-
tection was a mere incident of the assize, which was enacted for the
preservation of other animals. Nevertheless the forest rolls show that
the hare was undoubtedly preserved in one forest, in which it was the
subject of the same laws as the deer of different s})ecies, and the wild
boar. This forest was the warren ^ of Somerton, withm the boundaries
of which the king specially preserved the hare as a beast of the
forest. It is impossible that an animal so common throughout
England could be preserved elsewhere without some mention of it
being found in the forest rolls. Moreover, except in districts of small
area, its preservation would have been an intolerable burden to the
country. For example, one of the forest laws required that, when-
ever a beast of the forest was found dead or wounded an inquest forth-
with should be held upon it by four neighbouring townships ; and
records of such inquests in the warren of Somerton still exist. To
quod in uigilia sancti Uincencii anno classes, those relating to the vert and those
quadi'agesimo quidam aper inuentus fuit relating to the venison. The word venison
occisus in balliua de Blakeneye, luquisicio was applied t<3 the beasts of the forest.
inde facta fuit per quatuor uillatas propin- There is evidence apart from the rolls of
quiores, scilicet, Lydeney, Ettelcu', Aylbris- forest pleas, that the word included the
ton' et Aluynton' que dicunt quod lohannes wild boar as well as the red and fallow deer
le Uilayn de Blakeneye dictum aprum and the roe. On 29 October 1225 two
occidit ; qui non uenit nee fuit attachiatus hunters were sent into the forest of Dean
quia mortuus ; ideo nichil de eo. Et quia to take twelve boars for the king's use. On
dicte uillate non uenerunt plenarie etc. ; the following day a writ was sent to the
ideo in misericordia.' {Forest Proceedings, constable of St. Briavels with respect to
Treasury of Receipt, No. 28, Roll 4 d.) venison taken by these hunters. (Rotuli
Another example occurs on the rolls of Litterarnm Claiisarum, vol. ii, p. 84.)
the same eyre ; Again, in some letters close of 1 November
' Presentatum est per foi^starios et uiri- 1226. we have the words, ' decima uenacionis
dai-ios et conuictum quod Reginaldus de porcis.' (Ibid. 157.)
Yolewe et Walterus Wytenot oeciderunt ' See pp. 1 and Iv below,
unum porcum in foresta de Dene ; super - By the assize of Woodstock, which is
quem capti fuerunt et missi apud Glouc' attributed to the year 1184, people were
ad imprisonandum, et mode non ueniunt.' forbidden to have greyhounds in the forest.
(Ibid. Roll 4.) {Gesta Henrici. Eolls Series, vol. ii. p. clxi.)
Pleas of the forest were divided into two ^ See pp. 41. 42, 43 below.
THE I'.EASTS OF THE FOREST xiii
make such a law apply to the hare throughout the length and hreadth
of the vast forests of the thirteenth century would have been absurd.
Agam, Manwood's inclusion of the wolf in the class of beasts of
the forest was entirely unwarranted. The wolf is seldom mentioned
in any of our public records ; and the passages in which we meet with
it do not support his statement. From the thirteenth year ^ of the
reign of Henry II., a hunter received an annual allowance, charged
upon the sheriff's farm, for hunting v/olves in the county of Wor-
cester. In a suit ^ in the king's court at Westminster in 1225 the
tenant pleaded that he held the lands demanded by the service of
catching wolves in the king's forest. By a charter ^ dated 6 March
123f the khig granted to John of Lexington the right of hunting and
taking in all the royal forest in the county of Nottingham, except the
demesne warrens, the fox, the wolf, the hare and the cat. By
letters patent ^ dated 14 May 1281, the king directed Peter Corbet to
take and destroy all wolves in the counties of Gloucester, Worcester,
Hereford, Salop and Stafford. In short, the wolf, so far from being
in any way preserved, was treated as a noxious beast which ought to
be exterminated.
Thus it may be confidently asserted that there were in general
four beasts of the forest, and four only, the red deer, the fallow deer,
tho roe and the wild boar, the only exception being that in a few
districts the hare was also made the subject of the forest laws.
Occasionally, however, we may meet with passages in official docu-
ments which, if not considered carefully, might suggest that there
were in some cases less than four beasts of the forest. For example,
in a charter'^ of the year 1212, by which king John granted to the
prior and monks of Lenton a tenth part of all his venison taken in
the counties of Nottingham and Derby, the word ueuacio, or venison,
which in the middle ages was applied to the beasts of the forest, is
defined as the red deer, the fallow deer and the wild boar. Here
the omission of the roe might suggest that this animal was not
considered as a beast of the forest in all counties. It is unfortunate
that no documents still exist which relate to the forests in Nottingham
and Derby in the reign of Henry III. or his predecessors. But if the
' See Publications of the Pipe Roll reference to a wood in Gloucestershire :
Society, vol. xi. p. 64. ' Ac pro eo quod tam lupi quam malefactores
- Maitland's BractotVs Note Book, vol. foreste frequenter ibidem accedunt et
iii. p. 518. morantur propter densitatem eiusdem sub-
^ Charter Roll 33, m. 5. bosci.' See also the word 'Lupus ' in the
* Patent Roll 99, ni. 20. In some letters Glossary to this volume,
patent dated 23 May 1281 on the same roll '" Rotuli Chartarwn, p. 189 b.
(m. 19), the following passage occurs with
xiv INTR()DUCTI()X
rolls of the Nottingham forest cjtg of 15 Ed. I. be searched, it will
be found that in one case ^ the roe does appear as a beast of the forest.
But as this is a single case we may infer that the roe was not common
in the county.^ Its absence from the words defining venison in the
charter of 1212 may therefore be explained by its scarcity, the drafts-
man of the charter probably omitting it because he was under the
impression that it was not found in the counties of Nottingham and
Derby, rather than with the express intention of excluding it.
It must, however, be conceded that although the roe was a beast
of the forest it was not always looked upon with favour even by the
king. Thus in a charter ^ of liberties granted to the Abbey of Abing-
don, king Eichard I. allowed the monks to take all roes which they
could find in a certain district, but not harts and hinds, without
his licence. Other evidence" could be adduced to the same effect, but
it is not inconsistent with the roe being a beast of the forest, as to
which the evidence of the evre rolls is conclusive.
II.
THE FOREST OFFICEES.
The Justices.
For the purpose of forest administration England was divided into
two provinces, one of which lay to the north, the other to the south
of the river Trent. This division-'' was made in the year 1238, when
» For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 127, Roll 1. 1209 free warren of roes. Thus : ' Sciatis
* Of this we have some further evidence nos dedisse et concessisse et per eartam
from a memorandum on the same rolls nostrum confirmasseWillelmoPicotliberam
which states that three hundred and tiity warennam de cheuerellis et leporibus et
harts, hinds, bucks, does, and prickets died cuniculis et fesantis et perdicibus in terra
of murrain in the fourteenth year of Ed- sua de Dudinton' et de Torp' quam longe
ward i., but which says nothing of roes. lateque terra ilia se extendit, ita quod
[Ibidem, Roll 5 in dorso.) nemo in ea capiat cheuerellum uel leporem
^ The grant was by a charter dated uel cuniculos uel fesantos uel perdices sine
29 March 1190, of which an inspeximus is assensu suo et licencia sua super forisfac-
enrolled on the Charter Eoll of 10 Ed. iii. tnrsnii deceraVihva,runi ' (RotiiliCJiartarinn,
The words of the charter which confer the p. 185).
liberty are as follows : ' Et omnes capre- A grant of warren of roes was, however,
olos, quos ibi inuenire poterunt, accipiant et exceptional.
ceruos et ceruas non accipiant nisi nostra ^ On 22 May 1238, John Biset was
licencia.' (Charter Eoll 131, Ent. 30.) appointed justice of the forest south of the
•• Although the roe in the thirteenth Trent. (See Patent Eoll 47, m. 6.)
century was a beast of the forest and not a Eobert of Eos had been appointed justice
beast of the warren, king John granted to of the forest in the counties of Not-
William Picot by a charter dated 14 April tingham, Derby, Yorkshire. Lancaster,
THE FOREST OFFfCERS XV
a justice of the forest was appointed for each province. Before that
date, although there had more than once heen two such justices, to
each of whom was assigned a particular group of counties, there was
nsually one only,^ the ' Capitalis Forestarius ' ^ of the Charter.
The business of the justices was ministerial rather than judicial.
They were not required by virtue of their office to be present
either in person or by deputy at any of the forest courts ; but
the king as a general rule included them in commissions^ to justices
to hear and determine forest pleas. At the beginning of the fourteenth
century, although there was no sudden change in their duties, they
ceased to be described in the king's Chancery as justices, and received
instead the less distinguished designation of wardens, which continued
in use until the reign of Eichard II., when the title of justice was
again revived.
One of their principal ministerial duties was to release on bail
prisoners who were detained in custody for offences in the royal
forests. This was no light work : any poacher caught in the act of
killing a deer, or with venison in his possession, was forthwith
sent to prison, from which he could only be released on an order
from the justice of the forest or from the king himself. But besides
this and other special duties of a similar character, they supervised
the whole forest administration, held special inquisitions on the
expediency of proposed royal grants of liberties, and in general
carried out all the executive work relating to the forests.
The justices of the forest occasionally in the thirteenth century
and frequently in the fourteenth century performed their duties by
deputy. In the reign of Edward III. it was the practice for general
inquisitions concerning the state of the forest to be held before the
justices or their deputies,'* who were styled lieutenants of the justice.
As a rule the deputy seems to have been appointed by the justice ;
but there are cases in which the appointment was made by the king.
Northumberland and Cumberland by letters Southampton, Wiltshire, Berkshire and
patent dated 27 November 1236. (Patent Surrey, and in tbe bailiwick of Thomas of
Roll 4«j, m. 12.) Langley in Oxfordshire. (See Patent Roll
Brian de I'lsle had been appointed 37, m. 2.)
in October 1229 justice of the forest in the ' The justices of the forest were some-
counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, times styled 'Protoforestarii.' Mathew
York, Lancaster, Nottingham, Derby, Lin- Paris {Chronica Maiora, Rolls Series, vol.
coin, Leicester, Rutland, Northampton, iv.), for instance, so describes John Biset
Buckingham, Essex, Cambridge, Hunting- (p. 88) ; but he also calls him ' summus
don and Oxford except the bailiwick of Anglie forestarius ' (ibirJ.), and ' summus
Thomas of Langley; and John of Mon- iusticiarius foreste ' (p. 174).
mouth was at the same time appointed ' Mentioned in Chapter 16 of the Char-
justice of the forest in the counties of tev.
Stafford, Salop, Worcester, Warwick, Glou- ^ See p. Ivii below,
cester, Hereford, Devon. Somerset, Dorset, * See, for example, p. xlix below.
a 2
XVI INTRODUCTION
Thus Henry III. appointed ^ Eoger of Lancaster deputy for Roger of
Leyburn, the justice of the forest north of the Trent, by letters patent
dated the 25th October 1265, during the pleasure of the king and
Roger of Leyburn himself.
The justices ^ were usually men of considerable political standing.
John ^ fitz-Geoffrey, Robert Passelewe and Robert Walerand, for
example, all left their marl: on English history, independently of
their administration of forest business. By the end of the fourteenth
century the office evidently became a sinecure, being then usually
held by a nobleman of high rank. But though a sinecure, the
income attached to it was certainly not derived solely from an official
salary, for from the close of the thirteenth century the justices of the
forest south of the Trent received from the king an annual payment *
of a hundred pounds only ; and the salary of the justices of the forest
north of the Trent was only two-thirds of that sum.
The Wardens.
Next in authority to the justices were the wardens of the forest.
They wei'e variously described in official documents, and seldom
expressly as wardens ; but the word may conveniently be used to
avoid ambiguity. Usually a warden had the custody of a single
forest, but in some cases he had the charge of a group of forests
lying apart from one another. Thus in the year 1300 Sabine ''
' Roger of Leyburn was appointed jus- to him as to a justice of the forest. He is
tice of the forest no) th of the Trent by the only justice who is described as steward
letters patent dated 25 October 1265. (See in letters patent of appointment. In other
Patent KoU 82, m. 3.) On the same day documents he is described as 'justice of the
Eoger of Lancaster was appointed his forest.'
deputy. (See same roll, m. 2.) In the ^ Roger I'Estrange, who was appointed
letters patent dated 1 August 1270 by which justice of the forest soutii of the Trent by
Geoffrey de Neville was appointed justice letters patent dated 21 October 1283 (see
of the forest north of the Trent, Roger of Patent Roll, 101 m. 5^ received an annual
Lancaster is described as steward of the fee of lOOZ. (See Liberate Rolls 542, 543,
forest (see Fine Roll 67, m. 5). 544 and 545.)
- A complete list of justices of the Geoffrey de Neville, who was appointed
forest south of the Trent, with the dates of justice of the forest north of the Trent by
the letters patent appointing them, will be letters patent dated 1 August 1270 (see
published in one of the forthcoming Fine Roll 67, m. 5), received an annual fee
numbers of the English Historical Eeview. of one hundred marks. (See Liberate Roll,
^ The appointments of John fitz- 537, ra. 3.)
Geoffrey and Robert Passelewe are not The letters patent appointing a justice
recorded upon the Patent Rolls. Robert usually state that he is to take the same
Walerand was appointed ' steward ' of the salary as his predecessors in the ofHce.
king's forest south of the Trent by letters * See For. Proc, Ancient Chancery, N^o.
patent dated 1 September 1256. (See 102, m. 9. Her five forests were Mendip,
Patent Roll 67, m. 3.) Nevertheless the Sehvood, North Pedderton, Nerroche and
same letters patent direct the ministers of Exmore.
the forest to be intendent and respondent
THE FOKEST OFFICERS xvii
Pecche was the warden of five forests, all situate in different parts of
the county of Somerset. Similarly all the forests in the counties of
Northampton, Huntingdon, Oxford and Buckingham were grouped
together and subject to a common warden, who was styled the
warden or steward of the forests between the bridges of Stamford
and Oxford. These forests, it is true, were in places contiguous to
one another ; but each of them had its own name and for many
purposes was treated as a distinct forest bailiwick.
There were two classes of wardens : the one appointed by letters
patent under the great seal, holding office during the king's pleasure ;
the other hereditary wardens. When the king appointed a warden by
letters patent, he usually appointed hiui at the same time the warden
of a particular castle within the forest. Thus the warden of the castle
of Rockingham and the warden of the forests between the bridges of
Stamford and Oxford were usually the same person, who was aj^pointed
to both offices by the same letters patent.
The hereditar}' wardens were liable to lose their offices for mis-
conduct. Robert of Everingham, for example, was removed ^ from his
office in the year 1287 as a punishment for committing various grave
offences, including the appropriation of the king's deer to his own
use. On the other hand, Peter de Neville, in spite of the shameful
conduct of which he was convicted ^ in the forest eyre of the year 1269,
remained in possession ^ of his office. In general, as might have been
expected, there was more irregularity and oppression in the forests
where there was an hereditary warden than in those where the
wardens held office during the king's pleasure.
Misleading titles were often applied to the wardens, such as
steward, bailiff, or chief forester. In letters patent the king is
usually expressed to have granted the warden ship of a forest to the
person appointed, who in consequence may appropriately be described
as a warden. On the other hand, the wardens are often described on
the forest eyre rolls as ' stewards.' Thus John Mansel, to whom the
king granted the wardenship ■* of the forests between the bridges of
' See p. 67 below. for trespasses in Rutland forest. (See
'' See pp. 44 to 53 below. Close Roll 9.'i, m. 10.) On Thursday 26
^ By letters close dated 17 November April 1274 sentence of outlawry was pro-
1269, the king directed the justice of the mulgated against him, for an offence com-
forest to deliver to Peter de Neville his niitted on 7 October 1273. (See Inq. post
bailiwick of Rutland which had been taken mortem, 3 Ed. i., No. 64.)
into the king's hand, the said Peter having On 13 September 1300, the king granted
found sureties to answer for his trespass. the custody of the forest of Rutland to
(See Close Roll 91, m. 12.) It is probable Theobald, the son of Peter de Neville,
that he committed other offences in the (See Patent Roll 119, m. 7.)
forest, for on 1 February 127|, an order ' See note 5, p. 13 below,
was sent to admit him to bail to answer
XVI 11 INTRODUCTION
Stamford and Oxford by letters patent dated 22 October 1252, was de-
scribed ' on the eyre rolls of 1255 as * chief steward of the forest ' ; and
other wardens are elsewhere described as ' stewards ' without even the
addition of the word ' chief.' TTnfortunately,- the title ' steward,' which,
if it had been applied solely to wardens, could have caused no
ambiguity, was often applied to persons who were not wardens. Thus
Geoffrey of Childwick ^ and Geoffrey de Mortemer ^ are respectively
described on the Huntingdon eyre rolls as stewards of the forest ; and
William of Northampton ^ is similarly described in the Northampton
eyre rolls of the same year. Now it is quite certain that none of these
people were wardens of the forest, because a complete series of the
wardens of this period can be compiled from the patent rolls which
record the letters patent by which they were appointed. If, however,
Geoffrey of Childwick and the other persons styled stewards were not
wardens, they must have been deputy wardens called stewards for
want of a better name. A few years later the word lieutenant, ' locum
tenens,' came into use to describe their position. Adam of Nailford,
for example, acted as deputy for Elias de Hauville,-^ who was warden
of the forests between the bridges of Stamford and Oxford in the year
1292. In an inquisition ^ held in Eockingham forest on the 9th March
1294 Adam is described in one place as ' subsenescallus ' or ' sub-
steward,' and in another as ' locum tenens Elye de Hauuile.'
It was possible for a warden to assign his oftice, or a portion of
his bailiwick, with the consent of the king. Thus Eichard de Mun-
fiquet, or de Munfichet,^ granted the wardenship of the forest of
Essex to Gilbert of Clare in the year 1267 with the king's consent.
Again in 126f Warin of Bassingbourn, who was then warden ^ of the
forests between the bridges of Stamford and Oxford, granted the forest
of Wej^bridge, which was part of his bailiwick, to Robert le Loup ^ for
life, and the king on 20 February 126f confirmed the grant by his
letters patent. On 5 June 1275 Edward I. granted this then recently
created bailiwick of the forest of Weybridge, which had become
vacant, to a certain John of Fransham '^^ for his life without the ex-
press consent of the warden of the forest between the two bridges ; and
* See p. 13 below. March, 1292. (See Patent Koll 109, m. 17.)
- See p. 14, note 8, below. " Fo7: Proc, Tr. of Rec, 82, m. 5.
^ See p. 22, note 4, below. ' Charter Roll 61, m. 5.
* See p. 31, note 6, below. '* See note 4, p. 40 below.
* Elias de Hauville was appomted ' See Patent lloU 84, m. 26.
warden of the castle of Rockingham and of '" John of Fransham was appointed to
the forests between the bridges of Stamford the office by letters patent dated 5 June
and Oxford by letters patent dated 10 1275. (See Patent Roll 93, m. 21.)
THE FOKEST OFFICEKS xix
on the death of John of Fransham he granted it to John Pikard ' for
life without any such consent.
The wardens were the executive officers of the king in his forests.
Writs relating to the administration of forest business, as well as to
the delivery of presents of venison and wood, were, in general, ad-
dressed to them. They also attended the various courts of the forest.
It does not appear, however, that their presence at any of them was
necessary.
The Verderers.
The wardens were not the only officers of the forest in direct
relation with the Crown, In all the forests, except those in the
county palatine of Cheshire, there were officers called verderers - who
were responsible to the king and not to the wardens. Like coroners,
verderers were elected in the county court, the elections being made
upon the receipt by the sheriff of a writ''' called ' de uiridario eligendo.'
When elected they held office for life unless they were removed by the
Crown : an event which frequently happened in the fourteenth,
but not often in the thirteenth century. The Close Eolls of the reign
of Edward III. supply numerous examples of verderers being removed
from their office, sometimes because they were incapacitated by age or
illness, and at others because they were insufficiently qualified. The
qualification was the possession of land within the forest, but it is
probable that the particular quantity of land was not fixed, but lay
in the discretion of the Crown. As a rule the verderers were either
knights or persons possessed of considerable landed property. They
received no salary, and no perquisites were attached to their office ;
' John Pikard was appointed by letters nostre de G. in comitatu predicto adeo
patent dated 15 May 1276. (See Patent languidus et senio contractus existit quod
EoU 94, m. 23.) ad ea que ad officium uiridariorum in
- Verderers are seldom mentioned in eadem foresta pertinent exercendum labor-
documents of the early years of the reign are non potest utaccepimus, tibiprecipimus
of John. The first instance of the word quod si ita est, tunc in pleno comitatu tuo
' uiridarius ' in the charter rolls is in a de assensu eiusdem comitatus loco predicti
charter dated 21 January 121|. (Rotiili N. eligi facias unum alium uiridarium, qui
Chartarum, p. 204.) If the word occurs at prestito Sacramento prout moris est extunc
all in the charters or on the pipe rolls of the ea faciat et conseruet que ad otficiuni uiri-
reign of Rich, i., it must be very rarely. It darii pertinent in foresta predicta. Et talem
will be noticed that they are mentioned in eum eligi facias qui melius sciat et possit
the rolls of the eyre of 10 John (see pp. 3, ofhcio illi intendere. Et nomen eius nobis
4, 7, 8), and in the Charter of the Forest, scire facias. Teste rege etc' {Registrum
1217, they are evidently an integral part of Omniimi Brcviitvi, 1595, p. 177 v°.)
the forest hierarchy. In the thirteenth century the king some-
^ The following is the form of the writ times directed the warden of a forest to
sent to the sheriff ordering an election : substitute a verderer for one discharged,
'Eex uicecomiti Lincoln' etc. Quia N. instead of directing the sheriff tocause a new
de H. unus uiridariorum nostrorum foreste one to be elected. (See Close EoU Co, m. 8).
XX INTRODUCTION
but some letters close ^ dated 1222, and addressed to the sheriff of
"Wiltshire show that by custom they were not liable to be put on
assizes, recognitions and juries. Although the number of verderers
in each forest varied, it was usually four ; sometimes, however, a
forest was divided into several bailiwicks, in each of which there were
four verderers. Thus, there were four in each of the three bailiwicks in
the forest ^ of Northumberland, and a similar arrangement prevailed
in the forest ^ of Cumberland, which also comprised three bailiwicks.
On the other hand, in Sherwood * forest the number of verderers was
six. Finally, a few forests, among which may be noticed the forest of
Eutland '" and the warren of Somerton,*^ were considered too small to
need more than two verderers.
The chief work in which the verderers were engaged was that of
attending the forest courts.'
The Foresters.
All the ordinary work of the forests, such as watching for tres-
passers, pursuing them, attaching or arresting them — in short, all the
work of a modern gamekeeper — was performed by a group of officers
called foresters, whose numbers varied in different forests. In the
Eutland forest eyre of 1269, it was proved that Peter de Neville,
the warden, had under him many foresters with pages under them, to
the damage and overburdening of the whole countr3\ Accordingly,
the justices directed that there should in future be no more than
five walking foresters, one riding forester and a page, the number
that of old there was wont to be. These foresters were not only
' The following is the text of the letters Northumberland. One lay to the south of
close : ' Eex uicecomiti Wiltes' salutem. the river Coquet, another between the rivers
Precipimus tibi quod non ponas uiridarios Coquet and Alne, and the third to the north
nostros de foresta nostra de Braden' in of the river Alne. The same rolls show
assisis recognicionibus uel iuratis quia se- that there were twelve verderers in the
cundum consuetudinem terre nostie poni whole forest. (See For. Proc, Tr. of Rec,
non debent in assisis recognicionibus uel No. 125.)
iuratis.' {Eat. Lift. Clans, i. p. 486.) ^ On the rolls of the eyre held at
It seems from the following entry on the Cumberland in 13 Ed. i. thirty-six regarders
Close EoU of 32 Hen. iii., that the exemp- are mentioned ; of whom twelve made a
tion did not extend to grand assizes : regard in one bailiwick, and twelve in an-
' Mandatum est uicecomiti Berkes' quod non other. No regard made by the regarders
ponat G. P. et R. F. in aliquibus assisis of the third bailiwick is recorded on these
preterquam in magnis assisis, si opus fuerit, eyre rolls. (-For Proc, Tr.of Rec, No. 5.)
quamdiu iidem G. et E. fuerint uiridarii The same rolls show that there were twelve
regis in foresta regis de S.' (Close Eoll vejderers in the whole forest.
62, m. 8.) * See p. 61 below.
2 From the rolls of an eyre held at New- ^ See p. 43 below,
castle on 22 April 1286, "it appears that ^ See pp. 41, 4? below,
there were three baillM-icks in the forest of ' See pp. xxvii to 1 below.
THE FOr.EST OFFICERS xxi
appointed by the wardens ; they were also dependent upon them
for their remuneration, for the Crown paid them no salaries.
The wardenship of every forest which was held hereditarily carried
with it, either by prescription or by express grant, certain rights ^
and privileges. Peter de Neville, for instance, was entitled ^ to due
chiminage, lawing of dogs in places where it was due, and dead and
dry wood which could be collected by the hand alone without any iron
instrument in the demesne woods of the king. Robert of Everingham,
the warden of Sherwood, enjoyed -^ among other things the right to
have the bark and the crops of oaks which the king had given by his
writ ; the right to have after-pannage as often as it occurred, and the
privilege of holding his ten knights' fees of the king in chief exonerated
from service on account of his custody of the forest, and in return for
finding his foresters at his own cost. But the wardens, although
they enjoyed rights and privileges such as these, in order that they
might maintain foresters under them, were so far fi-om paying them
anything that they themselves were actually paid by the foresters for
allowing them to exercise their office. The foresters who thus paid
an annual farm for their offices took their own remuneration from
the inhabitants of the forests, by means of various acts of extortion ''
which they claimed as customary rights. Perhaps no better illustra-
tion of the oppression to which this system of farming the office of
forester led could be found than the list of grievances ** which the men
' These rights and privileges varied in quolibet porco unum obolum.' (Close Roll
different forests. Those which the warden 138, m. 25.)
of Sherwood enjoyed are set out in the in- The warden of the forest of Galtres is in
quisition printed on pp. 66, 67 below. From this passage called the steward of the forest,
some letters close dated 2 September, 1315, and the person who is described in it as
we have the rights of the warden or steward the warden of the forest is the justice of
of Galtres in Yorkshire They are as follows: the forest north of the Trent.
' [Compertum est] quod senescalli dicte - See p. 46 below,
foreste de Galtres, qui pro tempore ^ See pp. 66, 67 below,
fuerunt, tam temporibus progenitorum * Sometimes the foresters instead of
nostrorum quam nostro solebant ponere et extorting iiioney from the inhabitants,
deponere forestarios in foresta predicta pro wasted the king's woods. Thus on the rolls
uoluntate sua; et quod habere solebant de of the Stafford eyre of September 1271 we
omnibus quercubus per dictos progenitores have the following entry :
nostros aut nos datis tannam et ramos ; 'Pre^entatum est .... quod forestarii illi
et puturam suam in foresta predicta ; et sepissime amouentur et alii in loco eorum
eciam duas landas que uocantur Hanter- ponuntur per senescallum qui capit ab
wayth' et Ercedekneclos reddendo inde unoquoque ad introitum suum magnam
annuatim dictis progenitcribus nostris et summam pecunie ; et prefer hoc certam
nobis quinque solidos per manus custodis summam certis terminis per annum, ex-
eiusdem foreste ; et insuper quod ad officium cepto fine facto ab unoquoque pro balliua
senescalli ibidem pertinet habere chemi- sua tenenda nee habent forestarii unde hoc
nagium et caplicium, reddendo inde nobis facere nisi de boscis balliuarum suarum.'
decern solidos per annum per manus {For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 184, Roll
custodis predict! ; et quod habere solebant 9 d.)
proficuiun porcorum intrancium coopertam ^ See pp. 125 to 128 b^'low.
foreste predicte mense uetito, uidelicet, de
XXU INTRODUCTION
of Somerset presented at an inquisition held in the year 1277. They
complained of the chief forester or warden appointing more foresters
than were necessary for looking after the forest, and of his taking from
them money for appointing them ; of the foresters coming in the
month of August to collect corn from the inhabitants, of their mak-
ing ale with the corn, which they then compelled the inhabitants to
buy ; of their collecting from them lambs and young pigs ; and of their
cutting down trees for fuel, and of taking chiminage where it was not
due. It can hardly be doubted that extortion such as this was more
resented by the masses of the people than the restrictions on hunting
and woodcutting which constituted the main body of the forest laws.
But even if the grievances of the men of Somerset were exceptional,
they were the same in kind as those which people suffered in all
the counties of England where the king had forests. Probably the
best known article of the Charter of the Forest was the one which
provided :
Nulhis forestarius uel bedellus de cetero faciat scotale uel colligat
uel auenam uel bladum aliud uel agnos uel porcellos nee aliquam collectam
faciant ; et per uisum et sacramentum duodecim reguardorum quando facient
reguardvim, tot forestarii ponantur ad forestas custodiendas quod ad illas
custodiendas racionabiliter uiderint sufficere.
But it was a difficult article to enforce ; and there was no better
safeguard against the evils which it was intended to remove than an
extensive disafforestment of the forests.
So when the commons demanded that the perambulations of the
forest should be made in accordance with the provisions of the Charter
of the Forest, their demand was largely one for a curtailment of
the districts over which extortion could be practised.
There were two kinds of foresters : those on horseback, or riding
foresters, and those on foot, or walking foresters. The former were,
of course, more burdensome to the inhabitants of the forests than
the latter, but there was no rule as to how many foresters of each
kind there should be in a forest. If, however, it appeared to the
justices in e^yre that there were too many, they gave dii-ections, ' as in
the case of Peter de Neville, that the number should be reduced.
Some of the foresters also had grooms or pages under them, who
accompanied them when they were keeping watch over the forest.
They enjoyed ho authority apart from their masters, to whom they
were related much as a ' bulldog ' is to a proctor in a university town.
' See p. 52 below.
THE FOliEST UFFJCEliS
The Foresters in Fee.
In most of the larger forests there were, in addition to the wardens,
verderers and ordinary foresters, certain other officers, who were
styled foresters in fee. It is impossible to describe even in general
terms the conditions under which they held office, varying as those
conditions did in different forests. All that the words ' forester in
fee ' necessarily connoted was a forester holding his office hereditarily.
Thus Robert of Everingham, the hereditary warden of Sherwood
Forest, is described ' on the eyre rolls of 15 Ed. I., as a forester in
fee. But when applied to him or to any other hereditary warden the
words are embarrassing, as they were usually applied to hereditary
foresters subordinate to a warden, and it is convenient to have a name
for such officials.
Let us consider some examples. In the forest of Dean ^ there
were eight or nine foresters in fee, each concerned with a particular
district or bailiwick to the exclusion of his fellows, but all subordinate
to the constable of St. Briavells, who was warden of the forest. As
a body of officials, whose collective authority extended over the whole ^
forest, outnumbering the verderers, and independent of the warden,
they must have possessed great influence in the management of
forest business. In many of the forests there was no such body ;
there was, for example, none in Eutland. On the other hand, in
certain forests there were foresters in fee who did not, as in the
forest of Dean, constitute a special class, although they individually
exercised a greater authority by reason of the magnitude of their
bailiwicks. In the vast forest or group of forests between the bridges
of Stamford and Oxford there were several foresters in fee. One had
for his bailiwick the forest of Bernwood, another the forest of Which-
wood. These were not the only forests between the two bridges ; there
were besides the forests of Rockingham, Cliffe, Salcey, Whittlewood
and Huntingdon, in some of which there were no foresters in fee.
Thus the foresters in fee in Bernwood and Whichwood, instead of
having a coordinate authority which extended over a whole forest, were
officials each of whom had the charge of one of a group of seven forests.
There is a question which forces itself upon our notice at this
point, and must be considered. By whom were the foresters in fee
' See p. 61 below. (For. Proc, Anc. Chanc, No. 102.)
- Ill the peicambulation of the forest of ^ This appears to be the case from a brief
Dean made in the year 1300, nine foresters investigation of the history of the forest of
in fee and four verderers are mentioned. Dean.
XXIV INTRODUCTION
originally enfeoffed ? Was it by the king or by the wardens of the
forest? The 'Red Book of the Exchequer' shows that there were
men who held lands of the Crown in the time of king John by the
service of guarding the forest. Sometimes, too, it could be shown
that their ancestors were holding the same lands by the same service
early in the twelfth century. Many of them, no doubt, were
subordinate to no one but the king ; they were, in fact, rather
hereditary wardens than foresters in fee, according to the usage of
those words which is adopted for convenience in this book ; others,
however, were undoubtedly foresters in fee, and subordinate to a
warden. Perhaps in some cases they were enfeoffed of their baili-
wicks by the king, and a warden was afterwards placed above
them with the custody of some royal castle in the neighbourhood.
The king would grant certain of the rights which he had over the
forest, and the rents paid to him by the foresters in fee, to a bailiff
or warden to hold at an annual rent. But these are matters on which
generalisation is dangerous. Until we have more documents relat-
ing to the forests printed and indexed, we can say little of many
aspects of the early history of any of the forests ; still less can we
speak with any confidence of the varying relation which obtained
between a warden and a forester ^ in fee.
The "Woodwards.
The king's demesnes, it must be remembered, formed but a portion
of the la,nds within his forests. The residue included extensive
woods, over which the owners enjoyed most of the ordinary rights
of property. In fact, the only limitation upon their rights may be
expressed briefly by saying that they could do nothing by which the
woods would cease to afford shelter for the beasts of the forest. In
precise language, they could not make ' essart '^ purpresture or waste '
without the king's licence. Now in order to protect their rights
they, like other landowners outside the forest, required the assistance
of an official bearing a close resemblance to a royal forester. His
principal duty was to attach trespassers in their woods and compel
them to make answer for their offences. But these officials were
made by the forest laws to serve two masters. They were compelled
to protect the king's venison as well as their masters' woods. Every
' Like the verderers, the foresters in fee 94.)
were not liable to be put in juries and - These words are explained on pp. Ixxviii,
assizes. (See Rot. Lilt. Claus. ii. pp. 59, Ixxx and Ixxxiii below.
TUK FOKEST OFFICEliS XXV^
owner of a wood within a forest was obliged to have a forester, which,
far from being a hardship, was a convenience ; but the forester ' was
bound to swear fealty to the king and his venison, and the vert. If
the owner of such a wood had no forester, or if he had a forester
who had not taken the necessary oath, the wood was seised into the
King's hands. The forester was called a woodward. His lord was
bound to present him to the chief justice of the forest, before whom,
and none other, he was sworn, and at every eyre of the forest he was
bound to present him before the justices in eyre, under pain of his
wood being taken into the king's hands.
A woodward, then, was nothing more than a private forester,
sworn to protect the king's interests. If a trespass was committed in
his wood and was discovered for the first time by the royal forester,
the wood was taken into the king's hands. Of this a good example
occurred in the Buckinghamshire eyre of 1255, which is enrolled ' as
follows :
Presentatum est per forestarios et uiridarios et conuictum quod in
uigilia sancti Edmundi martiris anno etc. tricesimo quinto circa boram
nonam duo mastini domini S. de P, scilicet unus fuscus et unus niger
inuenti fuerunt in bosco dicti S. apud H. dilacerantos unum brokettum
uulneratum in dextera hanchia. Et quia dicta transgressio primo inuenta
fuit per forestarium domini regis et non per wudewardum ipsius S., ideo
boscus capiatur in manu domini regis.
The Eangers.
Towards the end of the fourteenth century, we meet a new officer,
who was styled a ranger. His duties were considered by Manwood
to relate to the purlieus or districts which were disafforested in the
great disafforestment of the year 1301. It is, however, impossible to
explain his duties and status, or the laws which prevailed in the
forest purlieus, without an investigation of the history of the forests
in the fourteenth century, which lies outside the scope of the present
work. It is sufficient to remark that the rangers are seldom men-
tioned^ in documents of the reign of Edward III. ; that they may be
' A woodward was not entitled to cany tam de uiridi quam de uenaoione.' (See
bows and arrows in the forest, but only an Coram Rege Rolls 815, Rot. 106.)
axe. The following is a recital in the - For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 2, Roll 1.
record of the case mentioned on p. xi above : ^ In some letters patent dated 24 October
' quilibet wodewardus per assisam foreste 1371 Henry Dolyng is described as ranger
debeat portare in foresta hachettum et non of the New Forest, and in similar letters of
arcum et sagittas pro sinistra suspiccione two days later Thomas of Croydon is de-
uenacionis deponenda ad presentandum scribed as ranger of Waltham (Patent Roll
XXVI INTRODUCTION
considered as a particular kind of foresters rather than as a specially
created class of officers ; and that we meet with them only when the
whole system of forest administration was in a state of dissolution.
Regarders.
The duties of the officers known as regarders are discussed on a
subsequent page under the general heading ' The Regard.'
The Agisters.
The only remaining forest officers were the agisters, of whom there
were usually four in each forest. They were chiefly concerned with
the collection of money for the agistment of cattle and pigs in the king's
demesne woods and lawns. Beasts of the plough and sheep were allowed
to pasture over the lawns and open spaces in the forests, subject to
customary restrictions, but they were allowed in none of the forests
during the fortnights before and after Midsummer day respectively,
a period which was known as the Fence Month or in Latin Mensis
Uetitus. They were excluded because the deer were supposed to
be fawning during this season. Pigs were agisted in the king's
demesne woods from 14 September till about 11 November in every
year, and a few pence were paid for each pig agisted, the number
varying in different forests. The agisters counted the pigs as they
entered the forest, and collected the pence as the pigs came out. The
wardens seem to have appointed them, but there is at least one case '
recorded of an agister being elected in the county court in the same
way as a verderer.
287, m. 19). There are ^^robably many tudinc nisi unura locum tenentem per totam
earlier instances of the use of the word on forestam predictam et unum clerieum atque
the Patent Rolls of Ed. iii. Rangers are not unum rangiatorem inqualibet foresta, modo
mentioned as officers attending the forest habet plures.' {For. Proc, Tr. of Rcc, 285,
inquisitions of the fourteenth century. In Roll 4.) And in another inquisition, held
one inquisition held in Braden forest in 12 in Brokenhurst in 40 Ed. iii., it was found :
Ed. iii. a man is described as ' nuper rengi- ' quod ubi forestarii equites et due rangia-
arius eiusdem foreste' (For. Proc, Tr. of tores dicte foreste solebant habere unum
Bee, No. 281, Roll 4 in dorso); in an in- hominem in foresta predicta, dicti forestarii
quisition concerning Wbittlewood forest, nunc habent tres homines ad nocumentum
held in 48 Ed. iii., the following passage patrie ad leuandum dicta amerciaraenca
occurs: 'Item dicunt quod Almaricus de contra assisam foreste.' (For. Proc, Tr.
sancto Amando senescallus foreste inter of Rcc, No. 310.)
pontes Oxon' et Staunford', qui non de iure ' Close Roll 112, ra. 12.
iiabere deberet neque de antiqua consue-
THE LESSER COURTS OF THE FOREST XXvii
III.
THE LESSER COURTS OF THE FOREST.
Manwood's Arrangement and the Swanimote.
When Manwood wrote his treatise on the 'Forest Lawes,' traditions
of them may have survived still, although, as a body, they had
fallen long since into desuetude. Various rights and privileges
of which we in the nineteenth century can learn little may have been
enforced in his day, but they could not have contributed much towards
the elucidation of the broad outlines of our subject. In the main his
knowledge of the forest laws, like ours, was derived from official
records, and not from direct experience of their application. For this
reason we ought to attach little weight to his assertions where they
are deductions only from documents to which we also have access. If
the Charter of the Forest had been issued for the first time in
the reign of Elizabeth, Manwood's opinion on its construction might
have been interesting and even valuable. But issued as it was in
the reign of Henry III., we should, if we desire to ascertain its
effect, use the methods of construction of the thirteenth century. So,
too, we should consider how far the political events and conditions of
that time permitted the strict observance of its provisions. And
above all we should remember that if we have evidence of the way in
which it was observed, its intended construction is interesting to the
historian so far only as it throws light upon conditions which pre-
vailed before its issue.
Manwood's account of the forest courts needs revision. After
studying the Charter of the Forest he arrived at the conclusion that it
provided for certain judicial sessions at particular times. From this
he assumed that those sessions were actually held. ' First,' he says,'
* it is to be understood that there be three principal and chief courts
usually kept for matters of the forest, that is to say, the court of
attachments, the court of swanimotes,^ and the high court ^ of the Lord
' Forest Laivcs, ed. 1615, chapter xxi. p. on the Carte Antique Eoll E E. or 37.
187 v. ■* The court which Manwood described
^ The letter i in the word swanimote pro- as the Court of Justice seat was derived
bably represents the syllable ^76 in 'gemote.' from the court of the justices in eyre for
SAvanimotes are seldom mentioned in docu- pleas of the forest which is described on
ments earlier in date than the Charter of pp. 1 to Ixxv below. The phrase ' justice
the Forest. One of the earliest instances seat ' was not in use in the thirteenth cen-
of its use is in the charter of 6 December tury.
1189 to the monks of Peterborou2;h recorded
XXVill INTRODUCTION
Justice in eyre of the Forest, commonly called the justice seat.' In
modern English, when we speak of a court ^ we usually mean a judicial
session either for the purpose of deciding some issue in fact or in
law, or for the purpose of conducting some preliminary inquiry, such
as a coroner's inquest, upon which further judicial proceedings may
take place. On the other hand, in the middle ages, or at any rate in
the thirteenth century, the Latin word ' curia ' which represented the
word ' court ' was seldom required for this purpose. The county
court was called * comitatus ' or the county ; the hundred court
* hundredum ' or the hundred ; and similarly the court which Man wood
called the court of attachments was called simply * attachiamentum '
or the attachment. Manwood was probably aware of this usage, so
when he read in the Charter of the Forest that ' suanimota ' or
swanimotes were to be held three times a year only, he thought that
the word ' suanimota ' meant a court sitting for the administration of
some particular branch of the forest law. The words of the Charter
were as follows :
Nullum suaniraotum de cetero teneatur in regno nostro nisi ter in anno ;
uidelicet in principio quindecim dierum ante festum sancti Micbaelis, quando
agistatores conueniunt ad agistandum dominicos boscos nostros ; et circa
festum sancti Martini quando agistatores nostri debent recipere pannagium
nostrum ; et ad ista duo suanimota conueniant forestarii, uiridarii, et agista-
tores et nullus alius per districcionem ; et tercium suanimotum tenea-tur in
inicio quindecim dierum ante festum sancti lohannis Baptiste, pro feonacione
bestiarum nostrarum ; et ad isfcud suanimotum tenendum conueniant
forestarii et uiridarii et nulli alii per districcionem. Et preterea singulis
quadraginta diebus per totum annum conuenient uiridarii et forestarii ad
uidendum attachiamenta de foresta, tam de uiridi, quam de uenacione, per
presentacionem ipsorum forestariorum, et coram ipsis attacbiatis. Predicta
autem suanimota non teneantur nibi in comitatibus in quibus teneri
consueuerunt.
It may well be argued that the word ' suanimotum ' was intended
to apply to a court with some particular jurisdiction ; but on the other
hand such an interpretation is not necessary. The article is quite
' It was used rather with reference to the tine word ' curia ' was used to describe both
person entitled to the profits of judicial the judicial session and also the persons
proceedings than to their subject matter or who made presentments, even in the reign
the persons before whom they were held. of Hen. iii. As to this see Selden Society
Fines were made ' in the court of the lord Publications, \o\. i. Again, in an ordin-
king' but ' before his justices.' Expressions ance of 11 October 1234 relating to the
such as ' the court of the bench ' were not in Sheriff's Tourn the words ' curie magnatum
official use in the thirteenth century. The Anglie ' occur (see Statutes of the Realm, i.
word ' bench ' was sufficient to describe the 118; Annales Monastici, Dunstaplia, EoUs
court. On the other hand, in n>anor courts Series, vol. iii. p. 139).
J
THE LERSl-IJ COUHTS OF TflE FOREST xxix
intelligible if we translate ' snanimotum ' by the words ' forest
assembly,' which do not suggest any particular jurisdiction.
But, not content with asserting that there was a distinct court
called the court of swanimote which sat at regular intervals, Manwood
went so far as to describe ^ its jurisdiction. He says :
The court of attachments cannot determine any offence or trespass of the
forest, if the value of the same trespass be above the value of four pence, but
that the same offence and trespass, if the value be more than four pence
must be by the said verderers inrolled in their roll and so to be sent from
thence to the swanimote to have an orderly trial of the same there according
to the laws of the forest.
On another page ^ he says :
It is to be understood that the court of swanimote is a court of the forest,
which should be holden three times in the year as is aforesaid for to enquire
of vert and venison and other trespasses that are done within the forest ; and
there all the trespasses of the forest shall be enquired of and presented.
These extracts show that he thought that the swanimote was a
court held three times a year for the purpose of trying certain
offences adjourned from the court of attachments and of inquiring
into and receiving presentments of all trespasses and offences against
the forest laws. His notion that this court was held three times
a year was taken from the Charter ; his description of its juris-
diction was derived from other sources which will be discussed
presently.
The three days in every year on which Manwood thought that
the Charter authorised the holding of a court of swanimote were
' at the beginning of the fifteen days before the feast of St. Michael,
when the agisters assemble to agist our demesne woods ' ; and ' about
the feast of St. Martin, when our agisters ought to receive our
pannage ' ; and ' at the beginning of the fifteen days before the feast
of St. John the Baptist, for the fawning of our beasts.' If courts of
swanimote, having the jurisdiction and powers which Manwood
ascribed to them, were to be held three times "a year only, the days
appointed for them were strangely chosen. Is it to be supposed that
offences against the forest laws were committed most frequently at
the season of pannage and when the king's deer were fawning ? If
such a court was required at regular intervals, should we not expect
to find one during the winter months, when trespassers would go by
night into the woods to take logs for fuel, timber for shelter and
Forest Laivea, ed. 1G15, chapter xxi. p. 187 v^ -' p. 22o V (chapter xxiii.).
b
XXX INTRODUCTION
venison for sustenance. It is easier to suppose that the swanimotes
were authorised to enable the forest officers to superintend the
depasturing of pigs in the kiug's woods in the autumn and the
clearance of the forest of cattle and sheep while the deer were fawning
in the summer. The subjects of agistment, pannage and fawning
would hardly be mentioned after the dates of these assemblies, if
these were not the principal subjects for which they were to be held.^
We shall see presently that the word * swanimote ' was a vague word
used both of the attachment courts and the forest inquisitions.
The Attachment Court.
Many rolls "^ of attachment courts still exist at the Eecord Office
which show clearly the nature of their jurisdiction. In general they were
held every forty- two days, always on the same day of the week in the
several bailiwicks into which a forest might be divided for the purpose.
Thus they were held ' at Linby, Calverton, Mansfield and Edwinstone,
in the forest of Sherwood, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday respectively in every sixth week ; and in most of the other
forests of which we have now rolls of attachment courts they seem
to have been held at the same intervals. There were, however, excep-
tions : for instance, in two of the bailiwicks of the forest ■* of Ingle-
wood they were held every twenty-eighth instead of every forty-second
day.
The jurisdiction of the court was small. It had no authori^^^y to
try or even to inquire judicially into cases relating to the venison,^ and
the rolls of the courts may be searched in vain for such a case. This
' See also the passage from the Year every forty-second day. {For. Proc, Tr. of
Book concerning Whaddon chase printed on Bee, No. 2.)
p. cxiv below. » See Accounts, Exchequer, Q. E., Bundle
2 The earliest is one of attachments held 134, No. 16.
in the forest of Galtres in Yorkshire in * Twelve attachment courts were held in
17 Ed. i. The heading of the enrolment every year in this forest towards the end
of these courts was in the following form : of the reign of Edward ii. In one baili-
' Attachiamenta apud Hob^ die Sabati prox- wick they were held on Wednesdays and in
ima ante festum sancti Marci Ewangeliste the other on Thursdays. (Accounts, Exch.
anno regni regis Edwardi decimo septimo.' Q. E., Bundle 131, No. 22.)
Courts were held in this i&eest every forty- * Trespasses against the venison were
second day. (For. Proc. Tr!Kf Rec. No. 237.) investigated in inquisitions made by four
A roll of attachments held in the forest neighbouring townships before the foresters
of Inglewood in 23 Edward i. is at the and verderers. Sometimes, no doubt, these
Public Eecord Office. The heading of the inquisitions were made on the same day as
earliest of these courts is as follows, ' Per- that on which a court of attachments was
quisita de attachiamentis foi'este de Engil- held. (See p. xlv note 5 below.) But it was
wude.' The headings of subsequent courts the usual practice for the inquisition to
on the same roll are simply ' Perquisita be held soon after the offence had been
foreste.' At this time the courts were held committed.
THE LESSER COURTS OF THE FOREST XXXI
was not contrary to the provision of the Charter which directed
the foresters and verderers to assemble every forty days to view the
attachments as well of the vert as of the venison ; for that direction
may relate to ministerial rather than judicial proceedings. Nor had
the court jurisdiction to try cases relating to the vert except where
the trespasses were small. The distinction between small and great
trespasses was of course definite, and not in the discretion of
the forest officers ; but it seems certain that it varied in different
forests. We know what it was in the forest of Sherwood ; for in the
fifteenth year of Edward I. Sir William de Vescy and his colleagues,
then justices in eyre at Nottingham, finding that the assize of the
forest was not being properly observed, issued an ordinance ^ with the
object of regulating the jurisdiction of the court of attachments. It pro-
vided that the verderers were to assemble every forty days to hold at-
tachments both concerning the vert and the venison, and concerning
the holding and pleading of small pleas which ought to be pleaded
in attachments, such as those pleas which were touched upon in other
provisions of the ordinance. Though the language of the ordinance
is ill chosen, its meaning is clear. The ministerial is distinguished
from the judicial business, which is explained in some detail as follows.
People who lived in the forest and were taken in the king's demesne
woods cutting saplings or branches or dry wood from oaks, or hazels,
or thorn, or a lime, or an alder, or a holly tree and such like trees,
might be amerced in the attachment court unless the sapling were
appraised at more than four pence, in which case the offender was to
be attached to answer for his trespass at the next eyre. Again, all
trespasses in the outlying woods, outside the king's demesne woods,
were to be pleaded in the attachments unless they were pleas which
belonged to the eyre of the justices. This provision is certainly a little
vague, but it would seem that trespasses to the vert in woods within
the forest, but belonging to the king's subjects, were to be classified
in the same way as trespasses in his demesne woods for the purpose
of determining the jurisdiction of the court of attachment. Finally,
there is a provision that all escapes of beasts of the plough in the
king's demesne enclosures and woods were to be pleaded in the
attachments ; as were also other trespasses outside the assize of the
forest and against the Charter of the Forest.
Now this ordinance ought not to be considered as creating a
new law throughout England. It was issued by the justices in eyre
' See p. 62 below.
b2
XXXU IXTT^ODUCTrOX
of the forest north of the Trent, for the benefit of the county of
Nottmgham, and even if they intended it to apply to the other
northern counties, they had no power to extend it to the counties
south of the Trent. Its terms, too, are inadequate to explain the
law in many of the forests. The beech and the maple may
have been scarce in the county of Nottingham, but they grew in
abundance in many districts, and the ordinance does not tell us
whether the trespasser who took them in the forest could be punished
in the court of attachments, or could only be attached to answer for
his trespass in the court of the eyre. Nevertheless, in its broad
outlines it probably declared the law ' which obtained on both sides
of the river Trent, even though it fails to supply us with certain
details of some importance.
Attachment court rolls, consisting as they do of constantly
recurring entries of a few particular forms, are of little interest. The
following extract from an account^ rendered at the Exchequer in
the year 1316 shows the nature of the proceedings enrolled upon
them :
Attachiamentum ^ tentum apud Caluerton die ■* Mercurii in crastino sancti
Andrea apostoli anno supradicto [lo Ed. II.] :
De I. le W. de C. pro uno blestrone -^ . . . . iijd.
De E. W. de L. pro una caretta branchiarum . . ijd.
De I. C. de G. quia non habuit W. B. . . . . ijd.
De I. f. S. de G. pro eodom ijd.
De H. de L. pro uno quercn vjd.
De E. f. I. B. quia non habuit I. f. S ijd.
De E. de C. de N. pro uno bletrone .... vjd.
De E. G. de E. pro una caretta branchiarum . . iijd.
Summa istius attachiamenti . . . ijs. ijd.
The following extracts from the accounts of other attachment
courts held in Sherwood forest in the same year are among the few
entries which are of a different nature from those occurring in the
account of the court printed above.
' The mode of distinguishing small and made at an attachment court and not the
large trespasses to the vert prescribed by record of the proceedings of the court,
the ordinance does not appear to have ob- which would be longer and fuller. The
tained in the forests south of the Trent. account, however, is sufficient to illustrate
See p. xxxvi below. the subject matter of the cases heard in
'^ Accounts, Exch. Q. R., Bundle 134, No. attachment courts.
16. * 1 December 1316.
^ It must be observed that the extract ^ For the meaning of this word see
here printed is an account of amercements 'Blettro' in the Glossary to this volume.
THE LESSER COURTS OF THE FOREST XXXlii
De R. L. de M. pro uuo stubbe xviijd.
De R. Q. de W. pro truncacione unius stubbe . . vjd.
De R. D. de K. pro uno stubbe sicco .... iiijd.
De W. K. de E. pro escapio bidencium . . . ijd.
De H. de B. pro truncacione unius blestronis . . vjd.
There can be little doubt that in some forests, if the procedure
was regular, certain ministerial work was performed at the time when
the attachments were held. By the ordinance ^ promulgated by Sir
Wihiam de Vescy in January 128f it was provided that when anyone
dwelling within the forest -was found felling an oak, he was to be
attached to come to the next attachment, and there he was to find
pledges till the next eyre. If those pledges failed to produce him, we
may assume that they would be amerced and he would be again
attached by pledges. If on the other hand he was unable to find
pledges in the original instance, we may assume that the forester
would attach him by his goods and chattels instead of by pledges.
In these cases we can only assume what happened, because the rolls
of attachments give us no information about the procedure which
regulated them ; but there is no reason to suppose that the process
to compel appearance in a forest court differed from that which was
used in cases of trespasses in ordinary manor courts.
When the trespasser appeared in the attachment, he found
pledges whose names were thereupon enrolled ; but the enrolment
must have been made upon a special roll, as upon the rolls of attach-
ments which still exist we find np entries relating to the pledges for
the appearance of a trespasser at the next eyre.
The object of the finding of pledges on two occasions is not
difficult to understand. The pledges whom the forester considered
to be sufficient to ensure the appearance of the trespasser at the
next attachment might be quite insufficient to ensure his ajjpearance
at the next eyre, which might not be held for several years. Ob-
viously the decision as to who were to be accepted as pledges for the
production of an offender at the forest eyre was a. serious matter,
requiring the presence of all the parties interested and the con-
sideration of more than a single forest officer.
Where the trespasser was not an inhabitant of the forest, the
forester, instead of attaching him, was bound to send him to a prison
from which he could only be released by order of the king or the
justice of the forest. This, according to'the ordinance of Sir William
de Vescy, was the procedure in all cases of trespasses in the king's
' See p. G2 below.
XXXIV I^'TRODUCTIOxV
demesnes by peoj)le who were not inhabitants of the forest, and not
merely in those cases where they were found feUing oaks. The
reason of the greater severity was, no doubt, partly because a tres-
passer who was not an inhabitant could have no customary rights to
bring him into the king's demesne for a lawful purpose, and partly
because his offence would usually be harder for the forester to detect ;
but it was more especially because the foresters had no power to
attach any person outside the forest.
There was another ministerial duty which was performed in the
attachments held in the forest of Sherwood, the delivery of the price
of wood wrongfully cut in the king's demesnes and of animals for-
feited for being in the forest in forbidden places or at forbidden
times. It seems to be certain that in this matter Sir William de
Vesey merely regulated the existing practice by his ordinance ; for the
entries of pleas of the vert held at the first eyre in Nottingham
after he issued it differ only in form ^ from the enrolment of the pleas
of the vert in other forests North of the Trent at an earlier date.
They differ, however, both in form and substance from the entries of
pleas of the vert held in the forests South of the Trent, of an earlier
as well as of a later date. After this ordinance an account was ren-
dered at the Exchequer at irregular intervals of the amercements which
had been made in the forest of Sherwood since the last account of a
similar kind was rendered. With such amercements, being for the small
trespasses to the vert specified in the ordinance, the justices in eyre
had no concern. The amercements of all other offences to the vert
were made by the justices and entered on the eyre rolls. But from the
next eyre after the ordinance, after each entry ^ we find the words
' wherewith the verderers are charged in their roll of the price of the
vert ' or others to the same effect. At the head of another of the
rolls ^ of the same eyre, we have the words ' of the price of the
vert,' and beneath it an account of the price of the vert year by year
from the time of the last eyre.
Now this was not the ordinary procedure south of the Trent. We
do not read of accounts being rendered at the Exchequer of amerce-
ments by the attachment courts. The king and his advisers may
have claimed them, and sometimes ■* successfully, but on the other hand
the wardens and foresters in fee no doubt sometimes made a suc-
' Thus at the Cumberland eyre of Novem- Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 5.)
ber 1285 the verderers accounted for the - See pp. 67, 68 below,
price of oaks unlawfully taken ; but some- ' See p. 68 below.
times they accounted for the price of oaks ' An account of the profits of the courts
appraised at less than four pence. {For. of attachment held during the years 30 to
THE LESSER COURTS OF THE FOREST
XXXV
cessful resistance.^ Peter de Neville, for instance, the warden of
Eutland, seems to have appropriated to himself, among many other
things, pleas of thorns, hazels and such like small vert, which would
be pleaded in attachment courts. The justices in eyre, it is true, in
1269 ordered him to answer for the profits of his misappropriations, but
the eyre rolls do not tell us whether the order was obeyed or not, and
one of his successors in title undoubtedly died seised of nearly all, if
not all, that he claimed.^
Again, we may search in vain among the eyre rolls of the reign of
Henry III. for proof ^ that the verderers accounted in the eyre for wood
which had been unlawfully cut in the forests south of the Trent.
It may be that in strict law they were bound to account for it ; but the
absence of any evidence that they did so renders it probable that the
law was not strictly observed in this respect.'*
We have seen that the finding pledges for offences against the
vert in the forest of Sherwood, and probably elsewhere, took place in
the attachment court. But the Charter of the Forest speaks of
attachments as well of the vert as of the venison, and we should there-
fore expect to find poachers attached there in just the same way as
trespassers to the vert. It is, however, probable that in many forests
pledges for the appearance of poachers at the eyre were not found in
the attachment courts, and that the direction in the Charter was not
strictly observed in this respect. It was considered sufficient for the
offender to be attached in the presence of the foresters and verderers
in the manner which we shall describe presently.^
To summarise; the court of attachments was a court which,
41 Hen. iii. in some of the forests of Wilt-
shire was rendered at the eyre of 1257 by
John earl of Warwick. {For. Proc, Tr. of
Bee, No. 198, Roll 7.) The profits of the
courts were described as ' small pleas.'
The following is the account rendered for
30 Hen. iii. :
'De lohanne comite Warewyk' de herbagio
de Cippham, anno tri-
cesimo xij sol.
' De eodem de melle
uendito anno eodem . ij sol. vj. den.
' De eodem de cablecio
anno eodem . . • . vij sol.
' De eodem de minutis
placitis et de escapiis
anno eodem .... viij sol.'
' See p. 47, below.
^ Peter de Neville forfeited the bailiwick
of the forest of Eutland for his misconduct
(see note 3, p. xvii, above) ; but it was granted
back to his son Theobald by letters patent
dated 13 September 1300. But although
he appears to have received no privileges
from the king which had not been enjoyed
by his father Peter, his descendant Anne
Chiselden was found by inquisition dated
23 March 144| to have died seised of the
custody of the forest of Eutland 'cum
wyndfallyn wode dere fallyn wode cabliciis
wodsylver heggyngsylver, attachiamentis
forestariorum, extractibus swanimottorum
proficuis eorum et chiminagio ac faciendi
et amouendi omnes forestarios eiusdem
foreste ad uoluntatem suam.' (Inq. post
mortem, 23 Hen. vi. No. 14.)
^ In a few cases it may be found that the
verderers accounted at the eyre for wood
which had been unlawfully cut, but such
cases are quite exceptional.
■' The explanation may be that the
amercement at the ejTe was considered to
include the price of the wood.
■'■ See p. xxxix below.
XXXVl IXTUODUCnON
sitting at regular intervals, usually every sixth week, was chiefly
concerned in trying cases of small trespasses to the vert. The
distinction between small trespasses and large trespasses varied in
different forests,^ and it is impossible, at present, to lay down any
general rules on the' subject. Persons who were accused of tres-
passes to the vert which were too large for it to try were attached
in it to appear before the justices in eyre of the forest. In the matter
of venison it had no judicial functions at all, and pledges were not
found in it by trespassers for their appearance before the justices in
eyre as was the case in trespasses to the vert. In the forest of
Sherwood, and probably in the other forests north of the Trent, the
price of beasts forfeited for being in the forest in forbidden places or
at forbidden times, and also the price of w^ood felled or carried away
by trespassers were paid to the verderers in the court of attachments,
for them to keep until the next forest eyre. No doubt, too, other
small ministerial duties, varying in the different forests, were per-
formed in the same court.
Before leaving the subject it should be noticed that in some
forests the courts of attachments were called swanimotes. There is "^
a roll of attachment courts held in the forest of Cliffe in the early
3'ears of the reign of Edward III. in which the proceedings of each
court are styled * Swanimotum tentum apud Cliue die Mercurii etc'
There can be no doubt that these courts were attachments. They
were held every forty- second day, and they were concerned with the
same matters as were the attachment courts which were held in the
forest of Sherwood. Nor should we suppose that this was an isolated
practice. We have seen -^ that Peter de Neville appropriated to him-
self pleas of thorns, hazels and such like small vert in the forest of
Rutland, pleas which would certainly be held in the attachment courts
in any other count}'. But the entrj^ from which we learn of this
' In the forest of Bevnwood in Bucking- presentent attachiamenta senescallus inter-
hamshire attachments of small thorns be- rogat eis per sacramentum domino regi
longed to the chief forester and those of factum utrum spine fuerint pertinentes ad
large ones to the king. It was found by an dominum regem uel ad forestarium, et cum
inquisition held in 1260 that small thorns dicunt ad regem, tunc senescallus placitat
in this forest were those which could not illud placitum ad opus domini regis ; et si
be pierced by an auger called a ' restauger ' dicunt quod ad forestarium, tunc idem
(see p. 1"22 below). On another occasion forestarius placitat illud placitum ad opus
certain jurors gave the following answer to suum.' {Rotuli Hundredontm, i. 2ii.)
the question how the division was made The steward here mentioned was tlie
between thorns belonging to the king and warden of the forests between the bridges
the forester : of Stamford and Oxford, and the forester
' Dicunt quod omnes forestarii qui was the forester in tee of the forest of Bern-
faciunt attachiamenta in foresta iurati sunt wood (see p. xvii above),
domino regi de fidelitate et cum uenerint - For Froc, Tr. of JRcc, No. 96.
coram senescallo ad swanimotum et ibi ^ See p. 47 below.
THE LESSEli COUliTS OF THE FOREST XXXVll
appropriation continues with the words * and pleaded them in his
swanimotes.' Eemembering that the forest of Eutland was on the
one side of the river Welland and the forest of Chffe on the other,
we may conclude from the words we have quoted that the attachment
courts were calltd swanimotes in the former forest as well as in the
latter.^ The word ' attachment ' apparently was not the recognised
designation of the court in all parts of the country. At an inquisition "^
held in the forest of Essex in the year 1239, a man was put by gage
and pledge to be at the next forest hundred because he was not
present at the inquisition. Now the hundred was a civil court, which
was held every third week in each of the territorial divisions of a
county called hundreds, and had a small jurisdiction in civil matters.
It would seem, then, that the forest hundred was the term used to
describe the court of attachments in the county of Essex at this time,
as a court analogous in functions to the civil hundred.
The Special Inquisition.^
Although the courts of attachments were only concerned with the
small cases of trespasses to the vert and had no judicial power in
cases of trespasses to the venison, there was no other forest court
which sat at regular intervals, and none which had any final juris-
diction in the intervals between the sessions of the justices in eyre.
But it must not be supposed that the attachment courts and the court
of the justices in eyre were the only tribunals which administered or
assisted in administering the forest laws. The forest inquisitions — of
which there were two sorts, the special and the general — formed the
basis of proceedings for trespasses to the venison.
By the articles known as the ' Consuetudines et Assise Foreste,'
which are included among the 'Statuta Incerti Temporis ' of the
* Statutes of the Realm,' ^ it was provided that if any beast of the forest
' It appears from the following extract coram iusticiariis et eciam de aliis que
from the Gloucester eyre rolls of 10 Ed. i. balliuas suas contingunt.' (For. Proc, Tr.
that the attachment courts in the forest of of Rec, No. 30, RoU 33.)
Dean were sometimes called swanimotes : ^ See p. 70 below.
' Et quia placita de uiridi in swanimotis ^ It must be understood that the phrase
foreste hactenus in debito modo placitata ' special inquisition ' was not in use at the
sunt et presentata preceptum est constabu- time when the forest laws were enforced,
lario et forestariis et uiridariis quod de It has been adopted in this book as a con-
cetero attachiamenta de uiridi racionabiliter venient one for describing the forest inquisi-
fiant et placitentur et de quolibet attachiato tion of the reign of Henry iii. It after-
duo salui plegii capiantur et irrotulentur, et wards gave place to the ' general inquisi-
quod quilibet forestarius de feodo habeat tion ' which is described on a subsequent
erga se rotulum de omnibus attachiamentis page,
de uiridi et de uenacione, presentandum ' Vol. i. p. 243. According to Manwood
XXXviii INTRODUCTION
were found dead or wounded an inquisition was to be held by four
neighbouring townships of the forest ; the finder of the deer was to
be put by six pledges, the flesh was to be sent to a neighbouring
spittal house or given to the sick and poor ; the head and the skin
were to be given to the freemen of the neighbouring township, and
the arrow was to be presented to a verderer. The word which repre-
sents beast of the forest in the original is ' fera,' which is usually
translated by the word ' deer.' As, however, inquisitions ^ were held
on dead or wounded wild boars and on hares in those districts where
they were preserved by the forest laws, we may reasonably render
' fera ' by beast of the forest in this passage.
It is very doubtful when these articles were first issued, but our
earliest record ^ of an inquisition which seems to have been made
pursuant to them is of the year 1238.^ In another inquisition made
two years later we read of a buck which was found one Sunday lying
dead in a field in the forest of Essex. On the same day an inquisi-
tion was held by four neighbouring townships, who said that it died of
murrain and was almost dragged to pieces by the pigs. Each of the
townships found pledges of being before the justices in eyre at their
next pleas, as also did the four neighbours, the finder of the buck and
the lady in whose field it was found. The head with its antlers was
entrusted to a man — presumably a freeman of one of the neighbouring
townships— to produce before the justices, while the mutilated flesh
and the skin were, no doubt, left for the pigs to devour. Here we
have some observances which were not directed by the * Consuetudines
et Assise ' — namely, the finding pledges by the four townships, the
four neighbours and the owner of the field respectively. Probably
the procedure was adopted which obtained in inquisitions before the
coroners ^ on the bodies of dead men, it being usual for the four neigh-
bours, and all suspected persons, as well as the four townships which
(Forest Lawes, ed. 1615, p. 8) they were compliance with the articles relating to the
issued in 6 Edward i., but he gives no autho- venison than those of 32 to 39 Henry iii.
rity for his statement. No official version of printed on pp. 74 to 116 below. It is pro-
them is to be found on the rolls at the Public bable that the first eleven articles were
Eecord Office, but there are many copies of issued in the early years of the reign of
them in private collections of statutes at Henry iii. or even in the reign of John,
the British Museum and elsewhere. It is The eyre rolls certainly show no change in
possible that the articles are not all of the the forest law or its administration after
same date. The directions as to attach- 6 Edward i. which in any way corroborates
ments for trespasses to the vert are of a de- Manwood's statement that they were issued
tailed character, and they do not appear to in that year,
have been strictly observed in the latter ' See p. xii, note 2, above,
part of the reign of Henry iii. On the other - See p. 69 below. ' See p. 71 below,
hand, the inquisitions of 22 to 26 Henry iii. ■• As to this see the Introduction to vol. ix.
printed on pp. 69 to 74 below, show a stricter of the Publications of the Selden Society.
THE LESSER COUETS OF THE FOREST XXxix
made the inquisition, to find pledges to come before the justices in
ej-re. The owner of the field was, no doubt, considered a suspected
person. Subsequent inquisitions, however, show that the four
neighbours usually found no pledges, although it frequently happened ^
that the four townships and the finder of the beast and persons under
suspicion did so.
Numerous examples ^ show that when an arrow was found in a
dead or wounded beast of the forest, it was delivered to the verderer.
But the verderer, instead of being allowed to retain it for his own use
as the words of the ' Consuetudines et Assise ' suggest, was bound to
keep it for production before the justices at the next forest eyre. The
justices probably received them, together with any antlers ^ and skins
which might be produced at the eyre, for the use of the king and not
as perquisites for themselves. Being articles of small value, they
were not sent to the king one by one, but were collected instead by
the justices in eyre.
Inquisitions by the four neighbouring townships were also held
when trespasses had been committed in the forest. Persons whom the
townships found to have been guilty of offences against the venison,
were either sent to prison * or attached there and then to appear before
the justices in eyre according to the gravity of the trespass. The
bows, arrows and snares ^ which were found upon a trespasser were
delivered to a verderer for him to produce before the justices just as
were arrows found in wounded beasts. On the other hand, if grey-
hounds were found in the forest belonging to poachers or straying in
pursuit of venison, they were sent^ forthwith to the justice of the
forest and not detained for production before the justices in eyre ;
but it is probable that the justice handed them over to the king, as
soon as he received them.
The ordinary ministerial work of attaching trespassers against the
venison to appear at the next forest eyre seems to have been done
in the special inquisition, and not in the court of attachments. If
we look at the records of special inquisitions, we find repeated in-
stances of persons being attached to appear at the next forest eyre,
and the statement of the attachment always forms part of the record
' See pp. 80, 81, 85, 87, 89 below. * See pp. 84, 85, 95 below.
* See p. 87 below. ** See p. 81. In one case they were sent
' See pp. 83, 87, 90 below. to John Mansel, the warden of the forest
' The trespasser was imprisoned only to in which they were taken (see p. 13 below),
secure his appearance at the forest eyre. It should be remembered that John Mansel
It was usual for him to be released to was a member of the king's council and
pledges until the coming of the justices in was constantly with him.
eyre.
xl INTRODUCTION
of the inquisition. There is nothing to suggest that the attachment
was made on any other occasion, or at the court of attachments
in particular. The Charter of the Forest certainly directed the
verderers and foresters to assemble every forty days to view the
attachments not only with respect to the vert, but also with respect
to the venison. But the spirit of the provision was in no way violated
by the attachments of trespassers to the venison being made in the
forest inquisitions. The purpose of the charter was, no doubt, to
secure publicity, but this was quite sufficiently assured by an attach-
ment at an inquisition, which was made before the foresters and
verderers by four neighbouring townships.
The forest inquisition was necessary only when a beast of the forest
was found dead or wounded, or when a trespass had been committed
in the forest. If a man was caught in the act of taking venison he
was forthwith imprisoned and could only be set at liberty by a writ
from the king or the justice of the forest. According to the Charter
of the Forest, if a man was arrested and convicted of taking
venison he was to be heavily ransomed, if he had wherewith he could
be ransomed, and if he had not wherewith he could be ransomed he
was to lie in prison for a year and a day, and if after a year and a
day he could find pledges he was to come out of prison, and if he
could not find them he was to abjure the realm.^ Thus the longest
term of imprisonment was to be a year and a day. But in the middle
of the reign of Henry III., and perhaps at the beginning of his
reign, when a man who had taken venison was arrested and sent
to prison, he was imprisoned in the first instance by way of process
and not by way of punishment. He was usually released by writ ^
to twelve persons, who undertook to produce him at the next eyre and
that he would commit no trespass in the meantime. His punishment
was always reserved for the justices in eyre, and to this rule there
were no exceptions. It is difficult to say how long men might lie in
prison before they were released on pledge. Certainly they sometimes
lay there more than a year and a day, but these were exceptional
' The article of the Charter which pro- ke le eyent pris en bail a auer le deuant
vides these penalties is printed on p. Ixv iustices procheyn erranz a lez plez de la
below. forest en tel conte a respondre de le auawt-
* The writ by which the king directed dit trespas e ke desoremes ne mesfra de
delivery was in the following form : nostve veneson, dunkcs le faeez deliuf/-er de
' Le rey salue tel viscoH^e. Nus v;(smaun- la p;ison en la quele il est detenu ke cez
Ao7is ke si vn tel pris e enprisone a tel lyu plegges de luy resjtoyneut sicuni est dit. E
j}UY trespas de veneson in tele forest on en eyez lez nons dez pleggcs e ceo href.' (Add.
tel park eyt troue xij bons e sauues pleggcs MS. 32085 at British Museum, fo. 142 r".)
THE LESSER COURTS OE THE EOUEST xU
cases of which the justices took note, in considering the punishment '
in the eyre.
The practice as to enrolHng special inquisitions prohahly varied in
different forests, and as we have but few records of them it is im-
possible to speak with any confidence on the subject. The rolls on
which they are recorded and which still survive contain besides the
inquisitions other memoranda relating to the venison. When a man
was taken in the act of unlawfully killing venison, the story of the
trespass is duly enrolled. When an archbishop, bishop, earl or baron
passed through the forest, he was entitled ^ under the Charter of
the Forest to take one or two beasts. On the rolls ^ of the special
inquisitions in the forest of Eockingham for the years 30 to 39
Hen. III. all the cases in which venison was taken in exercise of this
right are recorded under the headings ' Venison taken without
warrant.' In like manner the king's presents of venison are recorded
under the heading * Venison given by the king's writ.'
There is some ground for thinking that the verderers had one roll
of special inquisitions in a particular forest ; and that the foresters
had another.^ A roll,'' or portion of a roll, relating to the venison in
the forest of Huntingdon during the years 1248 to 1252, which is still
in a good state of preservation, is printed in this volume. A portion of
a second roll,*^ which is in a very bad state of preservation, contains
' The following entry occurs on the this article was amended by the addition
Buckinghamshire eyre roll of 1256 : after the word ' baro ' of the words ' ueni-
'Presentatumestpereosdemetconuictum ens ad nos ad mandatum nostrum ; ' and
quod .... una dama inuenta fuit in domo by the addition of the words, ' Idem liceat
W. A. et I. fratris eius de F. quam damam eis in redeundo facere sicut predictum est.'
cognouerunt se cepisse cum quadam ma- ■' See pp. 79 to 116 below,
china ferrea. Qui W. et I. capti et missi ^ The roll of the foresters, if they had
fuerunt ad prisonam apud E. qui ibi iacue- one, would probably be kept by the warden
runt usque nunc. Et modo ueniunt, et of the forest.
quia non habent unde redimi possint nee ' See pp. 74 to 79 below,
plegios inuenire possunt etc., ideo remane- ^ The following extract from this roll
ant in prisona per unum annum et unum should be compared with a corresponding
diem ; et postea si invenire possunt plegios entry on the roll printed on p. 75 of this
etc., sin autem abiurent regnum etc. Postea volume:
quia pauperes et per prisonam in qua iacue- ' [Contigit die] dominica in ramis Pal-
runt per unum annum et dimidium et marum quod cum forestarii domini regis
amplius ualde debilitati sunt corporibus de Wauberge et forestarii de Sappele
suis condonatur pro rege transgressio sua [fecissent ujigiliam sub haya de Sappel'
predicta.' (For. Proc, Tr. of Rcc, No. 2, perceperunt in crepusculo noctis male-
Roll 2.) See also p. Ixvi below. factores cum leporariis sub haya
- The article in the Charter of tlie predicta, et cum malefactores percepissent
Forest of 6 November 1217 is as follows : forestarios in fugam conuersi sunt, set
' Quicunque archiepiscopus, episcopus, predicti [forestarii] ceperunt vnum de
comes, uel baro transierit per forestam malefaetoribus, qui uocabatur Eadulfus de
nostram liceat ei capere unam uel duas Fentone ; quem cum forestarii cepissent
bestias per uisum forestarii si presensfuerit, [interrog]auerunt eum quis esset et cum
sin autem faciat cornari ne uideatur furtiue quo et eorum nomina qui cum eo fuerunt.
hoc facere.' Et cognouit quod ipse uocabatur Radulfus
In the charter of 11 February 122J de Fentone ; et alius qui cum eo erat
xlii INTRODUCTION
the same subject matter. But a comparison of the two documents
shows that neither of them is a copy of the other. Again, in the
roll * of the Kutland eyre of 1256, the following passage occurs :
Et quia uiridarii predicti non faciunt aliquam mencionem in rotulo sue
de correo predicte dame et in rotulo forestariorum inde sit mencio et dictum
correum modo presentatum est ; ideo in misericordia.
It may be that these are exceptional cases ; but we find in the forest
of Kockingham that the two rolls ^ of inquisitions held during the years
1246 to 1250 and 1250 to 1255 respectively which happen to have
survived differed in form from one another, and that one is more
faithfully followed in the rolls of the eyre than the other ; we may
therefore reasonably suppose that in the forest of Eockingham ^ as well
as in that of Huntingdon there was more than one set of rolls of the
venison for the same period.
The General Inquisition.
We may observe the special inquisition as part of the forest pro-
cedure elsewhere than in the few surviving rolls which record
examples of it. On the eyre rolls of the reign of Hen. III. we fre-
quently meet with a passage ■* in these or similar words :
An inquisition was held by four neighbouring townships, to wit .... ;
and because the said townships did not come fully, therefore they are in
mercy.
uocabatur OsebertusMarescallus[ettei-ci]us malefactores per [indiccionem] Radulfi de
Geruasius cocus et fuerunt cum domino Fentone prenominati.
leremia de Kaxton' ; et venerunt ibi causa ' [Magna et Parua SJtiuecle veniunt et,
uenacionis querende. Et super hec facta iurate, dicunt idem.
fuit inquisicio sub Sappele die Martis ' [Reptona EJegis venit et, iurata, dicit
proxima post . . . Pasche anno rengni idem.
regis Henrici filii regis lohannis tricesimo ' [Reptona] Abbatis venit et, iurata, dicit
tercio coram viridariis et forestariis patrie idem.
per quatuor uillatas propinquiores, vide- ' [Hereford] venit et, iurata, dicit idem,
licet, per Magnam Stiuecle et Paruam ' [Radulfus de] Fentone, qui captus fuit
Stiuecle, Reptona Regis, [Repton]a Abbatis missus fuit apud Huntedon' ad inprison-
et per Herefordiam. andum et liberatus domino Philippo [de
' [Magna] Stiuecle uenit et, iurata, dicit Stantojn', tunc vicecomiti Huntedon'. Et
quod Radulfus de Fentone, Osebertus prenominati Osebertus et Geruasius hue
Marescallus [et Geruasius] cocus homines usque non fuerunt [attachiati].' [For.
domini leremie de Kaxton' venerunt die Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 39.)
Dominica in ramis palmarum in [crepu- ' For. Proc. ,Tr. of Rec, No. 13d, Roll. 3.
sculo] noctis cum leporariis sub Sappele ^ See pp. 79 to 116 below,
causa uenacionis querende et ad male- ' The verderers' rolls are expressly men-
faciendum [de uenacione] domini regis et tioned on p. 27 below.
neminem alium habent suspcctum nisi * Examples of this passage occur on
predictos malefactores; et hos habent pp. 31, 35, 41 and 42 below.
THE LESSER COURTS OF THE FOREST xliii
Now in the records ' of the special inquisitions which still survive
we find nothing about the townships not coming fully. There can be
little doubt, however, that the question whether a township came
fully or not was never debated in the inquisition or at the eyre or
anywhere else. There are a few cases ^ in the eyre rolls of a township
being amerced for not having come at all to the inquisition, and if
the corresponding records ^ of those inquisitions be examined, it will
be found that the failure to come at all is expressly mentioned in
them. Yet, as we have already observed, when the townships are
stated not to have come fully there is no corresponding statement in
the record of the inquisition. The explanation is that the not coming
fully was in certain events a presumption in law, which required no
proof, while the not coming at all was always a fact, which, if the
township was to be amerced for its default in the eyre, had to be
found by the inquisition. The presumption arose when the townships
could ascertain nothing about the matter for which they were assembled,
or not sufficient about it to satisfy the justices.
Although the passage which records the amercement was usually
in the form described above, we occasionally meet with other forms,
which seem to explain the reason of the amercement. Thus in the
Huntingdon eyre rolls of 39 Henry IH., we usually have :
And an inquisition was held by four neighbouring townships, to wit
. . . . , who could ascertain nothing thereof, and because the townships
did not come fully, therefore they are in mercy.^
As the inquisitions by the townships are never mentioned on the eyre
rolls except when they are amerced for not coming fully, and as the
finding that they could ascertain nothing is the only one which is ever
mentioned in connection with the not coming fully, we might assume
that the statement of the not coming fully dej^ended on the failure to
ascertain anything, even if we had no other proof that it did so. It
is significant too, that we never find that some only of the four town-
ships are amerced for not having come fully. Either'^ all of them are
amerced or none of them.
' Eecords of special inquisitions of the ' See pp. 87 and 111 below,
reign of Henry iii. are printed on pp. (59 * Examples of this or similar expres-
to 116 below. In only one inquisition, sions will be found on pp. 13, 15, 18, 19,
namely that of the 22 August 1255, is 21, 23, 28, 29 below. In the case at the
there a statement that the townships top of p. 22 it is not stated that the town-
came fully, and it will be observed that ships had ascertained nothing ; but the
this inquisition was held after the justices enrolment shows that they failed to ascer-
in eyre had begun their session. It was tain the name of one of the trespassers,
probably an experiment on the part of the The name was supplied to the justices in
townships. eyre by the verderers.
■^ See examples on pp. 31 and 36 below. ' No instance occurs in this volume of
xliv IXTRODUCTIOX
If we examine the rolls of the eyres which were held about
40 Henr}^ III., we find that the amercement of the townships for not
coming fully was a common event in all the forests. We find it in
entry after entry and we may therefore assume that the special
inquisition was part of the forest procedure everywhere. If, however,
we examine the rolls of the eyres which were held about fourteen years
later,' we find that the townships were amerced less often for not
coming fully, and except in the early years of his reign they were
seldom amerced for this default during the reign of Edward I.
Now it is very improbable that the townships throughout England
during the reign of Edward I. became so careful that they always
ascertained facts in their inquisitions which were sufficient to satisfy
the justices in eyre, and it is even more improbable that the justices
gradually became more lenient to the townships and thus deprived
the king of a source of revenue. It is much more probable that
owing to some alteration in the forest procedure the special inquisi-
tion gradually ceased to be held. We shall see presently that this
was actually the case.^
The features of the special inquisition were, first, its purpose,
which was that of inquiring into some particular trespass or event
relating to the venison ; next its date, which was always soon after
such trespass had been committed or such event had happened ;
and lastly the persons by and before whom it was held — namely, by
the four neighbouring townships and before the foresters and verderers
of the forest. Now there exists a roll of inquisitions which were held
one of four townships being amerced for possint.'
not coming fully to an inquisition, without See Statutes of the Realm, i. 11.
the other three townships being also Article 24 of the Provisions of Marl-
amerced for the same reason. The editor borough of 1267 was in the following
of this volume is not aware of any such words :
instance in other unprinted forest eyre rolls. ' lusticiarii itinerantes non amercient de
' The legislation concerning the amerce- cetero uillatas in itinere suo, pro eo quod
ments imposed by justices in eyre for sir.guli duodecim annorum non uenerint
jileas of the crown upon townships which coram uicecomitibus et coronatore ad in-
(lid not come fully to make inquisitions quisiciones de robberiis et incendiis aut
before the sheriffs or coroners is of some aliis ad coronam spectantibus faciendas,
interest in relation to the history of the dum tamen de uillis illis ueniant sufficien-
forest inquisitions. By article 21 of the ter per quos huiusmodi inquisiciones plena
Provasions of Westminster of the year 1259 fieri possint, exceptis inquisicionibus de
it was provided as follows : morte hominis faciendis, ubi omnes duo-
' lusticiarii itinerantes de cetero non decim annorum uenire debent nisi raciona-
amerciant uillatas in itinere suo, pro eo bilem causam absencie sue habeant.'
quod singuli duodecim annorum non uene- See Statutes of the Bealm, i. 25. In
rint coram uicecomitibus et coronatoribus the text printed in the Appendix to de
ad inquisiciones de morte hominis aut Antiqids Legibus (Works of the Camden
aliis ad coronam pertinentibus, dum Society, vol. 34, p. 233) the words ' uiginti
tamen de uillis illis ueniant sufficienter per unius ' occur in place of ' duodecim.'
quos inquisitiones huiusmodi plene tieri
THE lessp:r courts of the forest xlv
in the forest of Kockingham in the years 19 to 24 Edward I./ upon
which the lost rolls of the next forest eyre were, no doubt based, but
the inquisitions have none of the features of the special inquisition.
They were not held for the purpose of inquiring into any particular
trespass or events. On the contrary, they were concerned with any
trespasses which might have been recently committed, trespasses
against the vert as well as trespasses against the venison. They were
held, too, at such irregular intervals and in so many different places
that it would be impossible to arrive at any general rule as to when
and where they were held. One^ was held at Brigstock oh the 6th Sep^
tember 1292 before the deputy justice of the forest south of the Trent
by the deputy warden or steward of the forest between the bridges of
Oxford and Stamford, two riding foresters, three verderers and twelve
as well knights as free and loyal men of the neighbouring parts of
the forest. Another ^ was held at Geddington on the 2nd January
129§ before two deputy justices of the fore«t south of the Trent by the
verderers,* foresters, regarders, woodwards and neighbouring town-
ships. Usually, however, the inquisition was held before the justice
of the forest or his deputy by the foresters, verderers and twelve
jurors.
These inquisitions, which gradually took the place of the special
inquisitions of the reign of Henry III., may be conveniently called
general inquisitions, but they sometimes received the name of swani-
motes. Many of the general inquisitions •' which were held in the
forest of Whittlewood during the years 22 to 31 Edward I. are de-
scribed '^ as having been held * in pleno swanimotto.' In the year
1306 the new designation ' swanimote ' obtained a statutory sanction.
In the statute ^ of that year known as * Ordinatio Forestae,' the general
inquisition is called the swanimote and the mode of holding it is
' For. Proc, Tr. of Eec;, No. 82. aitachments, but general inquisitions were
^ Ibid. m. 2. also held from time to time (For. Proc,
' Ibid. 4. Tr. of Bcc, No. 79). In the forest of
* In this inquisition the names of the Salcey both special and general inquisitions
individual officers are not recorded. were held at intervals from 15 to 33 Ed-
^ For. Proc, Tr. of Rcc, No. 83. The ward i. (For. Proc, Tr. of Eec, No. 78).
roll contains both general and special iii- The three rolls mentioned in this note are
quisitions held at irregular intervals. It of considerable length, and supply useful
should not be assumed that the special material for the history of the lesser courts
inquisition fell into disuse in some forests of the forest in the reign of Edward i.
as soon as it did in others. The i)rocedure Few records of inquisitions, held at this
in the middle of the reign of Edward i. period, in other forests still exist.
seems to have varied considerably in *• It will be remembered that in the neigh-
different forests. Thus in the forest of bouring forests of Cliffe and Rutland the
Cliffe from 16 to 34 Edward i. it was quite courts of attachment were called ' swani-
usual for a special inquisition to be held, if motes ' (see p. xxxvii above),
there was need for one, at the court of ' Statutes of the Realm, i. 148.
C
xlvi INTRODUCTION
declared in detail. The following is a translation of the first chapter
of the statute :
First we will and ordain for us and our heirs that with respect to all
trespasses hereafter committed in our forests, against our vert and venison,
the foresters within whose baili-wicks such trespasses may chance to be
committed, do present the same at the next swanimotes before the foresters,
verderers, regarders, agisters and other ministers of the same forests, and
upon such presentments there, before the foresters, verderers and all other
ministers aforesaid, by the oath as well of the knights as of other good and
loyal men of the neighbouring parts where the trespasses so presented shall
have been committed, not being under suspicion, let the truth be fully in-
quired, and when the truth has been so inquired let those presentments be
solemnly confirmed by the common accord and consent of all the ministers
aforesaid and let them be sealed with their seals. And if an indictment be
made in any other way, let it be held entirely void.^
After the date of this statute general inquisitions w^ere held at
frequent intervals in all the forests. The justice of the forest or his
lieutenant was invariably present, and the inquisitions were made
before him by the forest officers and a body of jurors. An inquisition "^
was made at Guildford on the 9th May 1363 concerning the state of
the forest of Windsor by the warden, four foresters, five verderers,
twelve regarders and twenty-four free tenants within the metes of the
forest. Another inquisition,^ held at Wokingham on the 11th July
1372, was made by the warden, eight or nine foresters, three verderers,
twelve regarders, two agisters, eighteen free tenants within the metes
of the forest and twelve free tenants without the metes. But a third
inquisition,^ held at Windsor on the 21st April 1366, was made by
the warden, three foresters, four verderers, twelve regarders and twelve
free tenants, and also twelve more free tenants within and twelve
free tenants without the forest. In inquisitions held in other forests
about this time similar variations occur.
The general inquisitions, although sometimes called swanimotes,
were not held at the dates on which swanimotes were authorised to be
held by the Forest Charter. They were probably held at such times
as were convenient to the justice of the forest or his deputy. A con-
siderable number of records of such inquisitions held during the last
fifteen years of the reign of Edward III. still exist. Many of them,
however, have been lost, and it is therefore difficult to say with any
precision at what intervals the inquisitions were held. But some
' The name swanimote is applied to these courts in other chapters of the statute.
' For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 28G.
' Ibid. No. 271, 290. * Ibid. No. 317.
THE LESSER COURTS OF THE FOREST
xlvii
information on this point may be derived from the records ' of the
forest of Windsor, which was situate partly in Surrey and partly in
Berkshire. It seems to have been usual for the justice to hold two
inquisitions on the same day, one concerning the Surrey portion of
the forest, the other concerning the Windsor portion. The first
column of the following table consists of the dates of all the recorded
inquisitions between the years 1363 and 1375 ; the second, of the
places at which they were held ; and the third, of the numbers by
which the records of them are now cited.
Berkshibe
Date
Place
Eecokd'
9 May 13G3
Guildford
No. 286
3 January 136|
Windsor
No. 287
21 April 13G6
Windsor
No. 288
1 August 1368
Bagshot
No. 270
17 September 1368
Windsor
No. 270
8 November 1369
Bagshot
No. 270
14 July 1370
Wokingham
No. 272
11 July 1372
Wokingham
No. 271, 290
26 April 1375
Wokingham
Surrey
No. 291 3
9 May 1363
Guildford
No. 317
21 April 1366
Windsor
No. 317
1 August 1368
Bagshot
No. 270
17 September 1368
Windsor
No. 270
8 November 1369
Bagshot
No. 270
4 April 1370
Guildford
No. 272
14 July 1370
Wokingham
No. 272
23 February 137^
Wanborough
No. 317, 271
4 July 1372
Guildford
No. 317, 271
26 April 1378
Windsor
No. 317, 274
17 July 1373
Windsor
No. 274
It will be seen from this table that two inquisitions were sometimes
held in the same year. Whether or not this was the usual practice
' Some of these are the original records
of inquisitions, and others are the enrol-
ments of them. In some cases both the
original record and the enrolment still
exist.
2 All the documents in this column
belong to the class For. Proc, Tr. of Bee.
* At this inquisition two agisters are
included among the forest officers. Al-
though mentioned in the Statute of the year
1306 (see p. xlv), the agisters were seldom
included among the forest officers by whose
oaths the inquisitions were made. It is
possible that in many forests, even where
pigs and cattle were agisted, there were no
agisters and that their work was performed
by the foresters.
C 2
xlviii INTRODUCTIOX
can only be ascertained from a careful study of the dates of
inquisitions in other forests. Fewer inquisitions, however, held in
other forests have survived to the present day than is the case in the
forest of Windsor.
General inquisitions, such as those just described, were certainly
not the swanimotes authorised by the Charter of the Forest. The
swanimotes there mentioned were to be held three times a year at
specified dates ; and certain forest officers and none other were to be
distrained to come to them. On the other hand, the general
inquisitions were held at irregular intervals ; and they were usually
made before the justice of the forest by the regarders and a body of
jurors as well as by the officers mentioned in the Charter. Moreover
the authorised swanimotes were clearly not intended to form an
essential part of the forest procedure, as they were not to be held
except in those counties in which they were wont to be held ^ ; but the
general inquisitions of the fourteenth century were held in all the
counties in which there were forests and formed the basis of the
forest procedure.
It is probable that the wardens of the reign of John were in the
habit of summoning the inhabitants and officers of their forests to
come to assemblies, called swanimotes, for no other purpose than that
of amercing those who failed to come. To check this abuse the
Charter declared that swanimotes were only to be held on certain
occasions and m a particular manner. The inquisition by four
neighbouring townships may have been an existing institution
which was not intended ^ to be abolished by the Charter, or it may
have been introduced shortly after the grant of the Charter, as an
institution without which the beasts of the forest could not be pre-
served. But, however it arose, it was well established in the middle
of the reign of Henry III., and it was as a development of these in-
quisitions by the four townships that the general inquisition came into
being.
The following is an example of a general inquisition, of the year
1369:
' As to this see the concluding words found dead or maimed. They complained
of chapter eight of the Charter of the that notwithstanding the Charter the
Forest printed on p. xxviii above. warden was in the habit of summoning the
^ The terms of the complaints made by freemen and townships to inquisitions,
the inhabitants of the Forest of Mendip in ' although there is no beast dead or
the year 1277, seem to show that they did maimed nor any lawful indictment by a
not consider that the Charter of the Forest forester or any other certain man accord-
prohibited inquisitions by four neighbour- ing to the assize of the forest ' (see p. 127
ing townships when a beast had been below).
THE LESSER COURTS OF THE FOREST xlix
Inquisicio ' facta apud Uppingham die - Martis proxima post festum
apostolorum Petri et Pauli anno regni regis Edwardi tercii post conquestum
quadragesimo tercio coram Petro atte Wode, locum tenente lohannis ^ de
Foxle, custodis foreste domini regis citra Trentam de statu foreste de
Eotiand' in comitatu Eotland per sacramentum Henrici Boyuille locum
tenentis lohaunis Wardedeu senescalli foreste predicte . . . .* foresta-
riorum . . . .^ uiridariorum . . . .^ regardatorum . . . .^ liberorum
tenendum infra mefcas foreste . . . .^ liberorum tenendum extra metas
foreste ; qui dicunt quod loliannes Wardu et Willelmus Wardu, uicarias
ecclesie de Bodyham, ocupauerunt quamdam porcionem terre de solo
domini regis uocatam Calkeleghes in Leyefeld' continentem per esti-
macionem triginta acras terre et proficuum inde recepere per sex annos,
uidelicet, ab anno regni regis nunc tricesimo septimo usque annum quadra-
gesimum tercium et ualetper annum xiij sol. iiij den'.
Item dicunt quod idem lobannes succidit de magnis ramis quercuum
domini regis tarn in parco quam extra per annos supradictos ad ualenciam
Is sol'.
Item dicunt quod idem lobannes et Alicia uxor eius feoffati sunt de
balliua senescalcie foreste Eotland' per Eobertum Wardu et lobannem
Porte per simplicem factum in patria sine breue uel licencia domini regis,
tenenda dicto lohanni Wardu et Alicie uxori eius et beredibus dicti lohannis
Wardu imperpetuum.
Item dicunt quod lobannes Wardu custos dicte foreste afferat presenta-
ciones presentatas ^ per forestarios in swanemotis'^ dicte foreste per semet-
ipsum absque aliquibus aliis afferatoribus ad hoc iuratis et hoc ad domum
suam 3 propriam ^^ extra comitatum sine presencia uiridariorum dicte foreste,
ubi de iure et consuetudine a tempore quo non exstat memoria solebant
afferari in swanimotis in presencia uiridariorum et per bomines iuratos ; et
sic per extorcionem leuari fecit vj sol' viij den' ad usum suum proprium de
diuersis bominibus patrie predicte.
Item dicunt quod predictus lobannes Wardu, custos dicte foreste, pre-
posuit quemdam Eobertum Brerlee in officium forestarii in foresta
predicta, ubi dictus Eobertus Brerlee antea indictatus fuit de transgressione
uenacionis in foresta predicta, et ea de causa ab officio forestarii remotus,
manutenendo ' ' ipsum in transgressione predicta contra assisam foreste.
The verdict of the officers and freemen in this inquisition relates
solely to the misdeeds of the warden of the forest. Any offence,
' For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 307. steward and in another part as warden.
2 3 July 1369. " Six names.
^ John of Foxley was appointed warden ^ Two names,
of the forest South of the Trent by letters ^ Twelve names,
patent dated 26 April 1368 (see Fine Koll ' MS. ' presentatos.'
169, m. 15). At this date the justices * These swanimotes were almost cer-
of the forests north and south of the tainly the courts of attachment for the
Trent were styled wardens, and the wardens forest. See p. xsxvii above,
of the individual forests were distinguished " MS. ' suum.'
by the title of stewards (seep, xv above). '" MS. 'proprium.'
It will be observed that John Warden is " MS. ' matenendo.'
described in one part of this inquisition as
1 INTKODUCTION
however, against the laws of the forest might be proved in the forest
inquisitions, which therefore supply a vast body of material for the
history of the forests in the fourteenth century. The following are a
few further extracts from inquisitions ^ made in the forest of Eutland
towards the close of the reign of Edward III.
6 October 1365. Quod I. de T. die "^ Martis proxima ante festum Natiui-
tatis beate Marie interfecit unum prikettum cum arcu et sagittis in balliua
de Beaumond in foresta predicta et inde fecit uoluntatem.
Quod T. le E. habuit tempore pessone sex porcellos sine agistamento
agistatorum precii in toto iij sol.
21 May 1372. Quod L. H. equitabat in Leyefeld cum leporariis ligatis
superuidendo balliuam suam die ^ Lune proxima ante festum Omnium Sanc-
torum anno predict! domini regis xliiij ; et predict! leporarii fregerunt dictum
ligamen et ceciderunt super unam damam ; et dictus L. in auxilium eiusdem
dame dictos leporarios fugauit a dama predicta, quam quidem damam dictus
L. nequiter uulnerauit et recessit.
18 March 137§. Quod prior de Landa babet parcum iuxta forestam
domini regis predicti non inclusum ; utrum sit ad nocumentum uel non
ignorant, quia fere domini regis intrare possunt et redire.
IV.
THE FOEEST EYEE.
The Forest Eyre of the year 1255.
The forest eyre * was a court called into being by the king's letters
patent appointing justices to hear and determine pleas of the forest
in a particular county or group of counties. Thus in the year 1255
William le Breton, Nicholas of Eomsey, Geoffrey of Lewknor and
Simon of Thorp were appointed itinerant justices in the counties
of Huntingdon, Northampton, Buckingham and Oxford, by letters
patent ^ which may be translated as follows :
The king to the archbishops, abbots, priors, earls, barons, knights,
freemen and all others of the counties of Huntingdon Northampton
' For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 307. to speak of the whole series of rolls of an
2 2 September 1365. eyre in any county as a ' file.' In some
» 28 October 1370. letters patent of 2 November 1283, we
■• The proceedings of the forest eyres have ' uiginti et octo rotulos in uno liga-
are enrolled on oblong-shaped pieces of mine de placitis foreste in comitatu
parchment sewn together at one end. Suthampt' de itinere Eogeri de Clifford.'
Each piece of parchment was called a (See Patent Roll 101, m. 4.) In this
' roll,' and the words ' primus rotulus ' are passage the word 'ligamen' is properly
often on the first roll, ' secundus rotulus ' translated as ' file.'
on the second, and so on. It is convenient * Patent Roll 65, m. 7.
THE FOREST EYRE li
Buckingham and Oxford greeting. Know ye that we have appointed our
beloved and faithful William le Breton, Nicholas of Romsey, Geoffrey of
Lewknor and Simon of Thorp, our justices in eyre this time for pleas
of our forest in the counties aforesaid. And therefore we send you word
that to the same William, Nicholas, Geoffrey and Simon as to our justices
in eyre for the aforesaid pleas you be intendent and respondent in all
things which to those pleas belong as is aforesaid.
In testimony whereof etc.
Witness the king at Woodstock on the first day of June,
Ten days later the king had addressed letters close ' to the sheriffs
of the counties of Huntingdon, Northampton, Oxford and Bucking-
ham relating to the business of the eyre. The following is a transla-
tion of the Latin enrolment :
Concerning the eyre of Justices for pleas of the forest.
The king to the sheriff of Huntingdon greeting. Summon by good
summoners the archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, earls, barons, knights and
all free tenants who have lands or tenements within the metes of our forest
in your bailiwick and from every town within your county within the metes
of our forest in your bailiwick four men and the reeve and the foresters of
the towns and all others who are wont and ought to come before justices in
eyre for pleas of the forest, that they be at Huntingdon on the quinzaine ^
of the Holy Trinity in the thirty-ninth year of our reign before our beloved
and faithful William le Breton, Nicholas of Romsey, Simon of Thorp and
Geoffrey of Lewknor, whom we have appointed our justices in eyre for pleas
of our forest in the county aforesaid, to hear and do our precept concerning
those things which belong to the aforesaid pleas.
Cause also to come before our same justices all our foresters and verderers,
as well those who now are as those who have been foresters and verderers
since the last pleas of the forest, with all their attachments as well of the
vert as of the venison, which have arisen since the last pleas of the forest
and have not yet been determined, to wit, as well of those persons attached
who dwell within the metes of the forest as of those who dwell outside the
forest.
Cause also all the regarders of your bailiwick to come before the same
justices, so that they have all their regards sealed with their seals, and also
all the agisters of your same bailiwick with the agistments ; and have there
the summoners and this writ.
Witness the king at Clarendon the twenty-first day of May.
' Close Koll 70, m. 12 d. forest eyre :
^ 6 June 1255. According to Bracton ' Facta coram iusticiariis itinerantibus
fifteen days must elapse between the date general! summonicione ad certos diem et
of the summons for a general eyre and the locum que ad minus continere debet
date of the eyre. It would seem that the sracium quindecim dierum.' (De Legibut
same interval was observed in the case of a Anglie, Eolls Series, ii. 234.)
lii INTRODUCTION
In the same manner an order is sent to the sheriff of Northampton that
on the day which the same justices shall make known to him he cause to
come etc. at Northampton. Witness as above.
To the sheriff of Oxford that at the day etc. at Oxford.
To the sheriff of Buckingham that at the day etc. at Buckingham.
The four justices iu eyre began their work at Huntingdon^ on the
6th June, and finished it before the 20th June, when they bad arrived
at Northampton and had begun to bear pleas relating to the forests
of Eocliingham ^ and Cliffe. We cannot say bow long they were so
engaged at Northampton, but it is probable that they adjourned for
a vacation after they had been there two or three w^eeks, for they can
hardly have had sufficient business to occupy their time in this way
until the 30th September when we again find them at Northampton.^
At this date they seem to have begun hearing pleas relating to the
forests of Whittlewood and Salcey, which lay partly in the county of
Northampton and partly in the county of Buckingham. While at
Northampton, however, the justices seem to have been concerned with
those pleas only which related to the parts of the forest of Whittle-
wood which lay in Northamptonshire, leaving those relating to the
parts in Buckinghamshire for subsequent consideration. On the other
hand, they heard all the pleas ^ relating to the parts of the forest of
Salcey which were in Buckinghamshire as well as those which were
in Northamptonshire while they were at Northampton. The reason
for this difference in procedure may have been that considerable
portions of Whittlewood lay in both counties while nearly the whole of
Salcey lay in the county of Northampton.
On the 15th November 1255, the same four justices were at
Buckingham hearing pleas of the parts of the forest of Whittlewood and
Bernwopd which lay in Buckinghamshire ^ ; and on the 24th January
' The pleas of tlie venison heard at No. 2) show that the justices were at
Huntingdon are printed on pp. 11 to 26 Westminster on 13 October 1255: ' A die
below. ■ sancti Michaelis in quindecim dies anno
'^ The pleas relating to the venison in etc. tricesimo nono quando iusticiarii pre-
the forest of Rockingham are printed on ceptu domini regis fuerunt apud Westm'.'
pp. 27 to 38 below. ^ An inquisition is recorded on these
^ The pleas of the forests of Whittle- rolls to have been made by the townships
wood and Salcey are recorded on a separate of Lathbury, Gayhurst, Haversham and
file, to which the reference is For. Proc, Hanslope, ail iu the county of Buckingham,
Tr. of Rcc, No. 70. This file has no and forest of Salcey, concerning the taking
general heading on any of its rolls ; but the of a buck, in Little Lenford in the same
pleas of the forest of Whittlewood, which county. (For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 70,
begin in the middle of a roll, have above Boll 3.)
ihem the words, ' De balliua de Witle- ^ The rolls of the eyre in this county
wode ; de in crastino sancti Michaelis.' are headed : ' Placita foreste in comitatu
The following words on roll 1 d of the Buk' apud Buk' die Lune proxima post
Buckingham eyre (For. Proc, Tr. of Rcc, festum sancti Martini anno regni Henrici
THE FOREST EYRE liii
125f they were at Oxford ^ hearing pleas of the forests of Which wood
and Shotover and that part of the forest of Bernwood which lay in
Oxfordshire.
Three days after their arrival at Oxford William le Breton and his
colleagues were appointed ^ justices in eyre for pleas of the forest in
the counties of Berkshire, Eutland and Essex ; and on the same day'
letters close were addressed to the sheriffs of Essex, Eutland, Berk-
shire and Surrey in the same form as those which were sent to the
sheriff of Huntingdon on the 1st June of the preceding year. As
there was hut one forest in the counties of Surrey and Berkshire,
frequently called the forest * of Windsor, it is improbable that the king
ever intended a session in eyre to be held in one county and not in the
other. There can be little doubt, therefore, that the word ' Surreia ' was
accidentally omitted from the enrolment of the letters patent of the
28th January, more especially as letters close were, as we have seen,
addressed on that day to the sheriff of Surrey as well as to the sheriffs
of Essex, Eutland and Berkshire.
So far the eyre rolls have enabled us to state positively the days
on which the justices began their sessions in the different counties
which they visited. At the head of the first eyre roll of each county
we have some such words as ' Pleas ^ of the forest in the county of
Huntingdon on the quinzaine of the Holy Trinity in the thirty-ninth
year of the reign of King Henry the son of King John before William
le Breton .... justices itinerating for pleas of the forest in the
county of Huntingdon.' But as the rolls of the eyre of William le
Breton and his fellows in Essex, Berkshire and Surrey no longer
exist, it is impossible to trace their movements through these counties
with any precision. We know, however, from the rolls ^ of the Eut-
land eyre that they were holding pleas in Eutland on the 12th June
1256 ; and an entry ^ on the same rolls shows that they intended to
quadragesimo coram . . . iusticiariis as- latter name seems to be identical with
signatis ad placita foreste in eodem comi- the one to which the ancient name was
tatu.' (For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 2.) properly applied.
' The heading of the rolls of the ^ See p. 11 below.
Oxfordshire eyre is as follows : " Placita * The general heading of the Eutland
foreste apud Oxon' coram . . . die Lune eyre is : ' Placita uenacionis coram
proxima post octabas sancti Hyllarii anno Willelmo Briton' .... apud Okham in
regni regis Henrici filii regis lohannis comitatu Koteland' in crastino sancte
quadragesimo.' (For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. Trinitatis anno regni regis Henrici quad-
251.) ragesimo.' The reference to the rolls of
^ Patent Roll 67, m. 17. the eyre in this county is For. Proc, Tr. of
3 Close Roll 74, m. 16 in clorso. Rec, No. 139.
* This forest was sometimes called the " ' Ideo mandatum est uicecomiti Leyc'
forest of Colynridge, a name which has per- quod distringat dictum R. quod habeat eum
haps become by corruption Cobham Ridge. coram iusticiariis itinerantibus ad placita
The district which is now known by the foreste apud Eading' a die sancti lohannis
liv INTRODUCTION
be at Eeading on the 8th July. "We may therefore assume that they
held a session in eyre in Essex in the spring, after leaving Oxford and
before going into Katland, and another session in Berkshire and Surrey
in the autumn after leaving Kutland.
On the 17th October 1256 the king sent letters patent ' to William
le Breton and his fellows appointing them justices in another group of
counties. By a strange error the enrolment of the letters patent
omits the names of these counties, and has instead the words ' in
predictis comitatibus.' It is probable that the counties mentioned in
the original letters patent were Hampshire and Wiltshire, as there
was a forest eyre in both of these counties in the following year. EoUs
of the Hampshire and Wiltshire eyre still exist ; but they happen to be
peculiar in having no headings ^ giving the dates at which the justices
began to hear their pleas. Internal evidence, however, proves that
the sessions^ in eyre in these counties, which comprised a large
number of forests, were held in the year 1257.
The history of the rest of the eyre is not obscured by the want of
documentary evidence. We learn from a memorandum * on the Close
Roll of 41 Hen. III. that Wihiam le Breton, Nicholas of Eomsey,
Geoffrey of Lewknor and Alexander de Montfort (who took the place
of Simon of Thorp) were directed to hold pleas of the forests of Dorset
at Dorchester on the 12th November 1257. It appears, however,
from the rolls'^ of the eyre that the justices actually began their work
on the 7th November. On the 26th November they were hearing
pleas'* of the Somerset forests, having been constituted justices for the
purpose by letters ^ patent dated the 8th November ; and on the 20th
January 1258, they were at Gloucester hearing pleas ** of the forest
Baptiste in quindecim dies.' There is a taken by Alexander de Montfort.
similar entry on the rolls of the Oxford '* The letters patent of the bishop of
eyre. (For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 251, Salisbury extracted from the rolls and
lioll 2 d.) printed on p. Ixxxix below show that the
' Patent Roll 67, m. 1. Wiltshire eyre almost certainly took place
^ Although there is no general heading after 15 June 1257.
to the rolls of the Wiltshire eyre, the ■» Close Roll 75, m. 1 d.
following special heading occurs on one of ^ The heading of the Dorset eyre rolls
the rolls, which contains some transcripts is as follows : ' Placita foreste in comitatu
of forest charters :' Transcriptumcartarum Dors' coram Willelmo Britone, Nicholao
in comitatu Wiltes' de itinere R. Walarund, de Romes', Galfrido de Leukenour' et
W. le Bretun, N. de Romes' et G. de Alexandro de Monteforti in crastino sancti
Leukenour' apud Wilton' anno regni Leonardi anno regni regis quadragesimo
regis Henrici quadragesimo prime' (For. secundo.' The reference to these rolls is
Proc, Tr. of lice. No. 198, Roll 20.) Robert For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 10.
Walerand was justice of the forest south of •* See p. 41 below,
the Trent at this time, but he took no part ' Patent Roll 69, m. 17 d.
in the forest eyre in any of the other *' There is no general heading to the
counties (except perhaps Hampshire). He rolls of the Gloucestershire eyre, but there
was probably merely filling the place of is a special heading to the essoins :
Simon of Thorp, which was afterwards ' Essonia capta coram Willelmo Briton ',
THE FOREST EYRE Iv
of Dean, pursuant to letters patent^ dated the 15th December
1257.
We have now traced the progress of the justices through a group
of thirteen counties. There remain four others, all lying south of the
river Trent, in which there were royal forests of considerable extent ;
namely, Staffordshire, Salop, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.^
William le Breton, however, and his fellows never held a session in
eyre in any of these counties. There are no rolls which record pleas
held by them there ; nor are there any entries on the Patent and
Close Eolls, which relate to their appointment as justices. On the
other hand, by letters patent^ dated the 3rd December 1261, the king
appointed Alan la Zouche, Nicholas of Komsey and Wilham of Powick
justices in eyre for pleas of the forest in the counties of Stafford,
Salop, and Hereford, and on the 15th February in the following
year he sent letters close '' to the sheriff of Worcester directing him to
summon all those who were wont and ought to attend the forest eyre
to come before the same justices.
The rolls of the forest pleas ^ held in the counties of Worcester
and Salop in the year 1262 pursuant to these letters patent still
exist, and, as they contain many pleas of the venison of an earlier
date than 1255, they show clearly that no eyre was held by William
le Breton and his fellows in either of these counties after they left
Gloucester in 1258. The same point is established in the case of
Staffordshire by an official transcript '^ of the eyre of Alan la
Zouche in 1261, made for the use of the king some forty years later.
In the case of Herefordshire the rolls of the year 1262, which might
establish in the same way that there was no eyre in that county in
1258, no longer exist. We may assume, however, that, as in the case
of Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Salop, there was no eyre in that
year.
There can be little doubt that the king originally intended
William le Breton and his fellows to hold forest pleas, in all the
Nicholao de Eomes', Galfrido de Leukenore Rutland respectively. It is probable that
iusticiariis itinerantibus ad placita foreste the pleas of the forest in Warwickshire
apud Gloucestr' in octabis sancti Hyllarii were heard at Worcester, and those of the
anno quadragesimo secundo.' forest in Leicestershire at Oakham.
There is a similar heading to the first ^ Patent Eoll 75, m. 19.
roll of the venison at the same eyre. The ^ Close Eoll 82, m. 15 d.
reference to these rolls is For. Proc, Tr. of * The reference to the eyre in Worces-
Bec, No. 28. tershire is For. Proc, Tr. of Eec, No. 227,
' Patent Roll 69, m. 15. and to the eyre in Salop For. Proc, Tr. of
- There were also small tracts of forest Rec, No. 145.
in Warwickshire and Leicestershire which " For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 183 .
were on the borders of Worcestershire and
Ivi INTRODUCTION
counties of England south of the river Trent in which there were
forests. They were to begin with the forests in the counties of
Huntingdon, Northampton, Buckingham and Oxford, and to journey
through the other forests in the order which the king should from
time to time direct. They probably held no pleas in Staflfordshire,
Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Salop, because their services were
wanted elsewhere. It must be remembered that the year 1258 was an
eventful one in English history. A parliament met in London on the
9th April, and on the 2nd May the king assented to the election of
twenty-four persons to prepare a scheme of reforms which were to be
submitted to an adjourned session of the Parliament at Oxford on the
10th June. The council of twenty-four drew up the famous Provisions
of Oxford, to which the king gave his consent on the 12th October.
While events ' such as these were taking place, it is easy to believe
that the presence of the justices in eyre or of some of them was
required at the parliament, more especially as certain of the
grievances of the barons related to the king's forests.
The Periodicity of the Eyre.
We have already seen that in December 1261 the king appointed
Alan la Zouche and two other justices in eyre to hold pleas of the
forest in the group of four counties, which William le Breton left
unvisited in the year 1258. After Alan la Zouche finished his work
in this group, the king by letters patent'^ dated the 10th April 1262,
appointed him and his two fellows justices in eyre for pleas of the
forest in Huntingdonshire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire.
It would seem that the king intended them to hold forest pleas in
all the counties of England in which there were forests. But just as
the eyre of WilHam le Breton came to an end without pleas being held
in four counties south of the Trent . in which there were forests, so
again the eyre ^ of Alan la Zouche was incomplete, and a few
' As to these matters of history, see there was an eyre before Alan la Zouche
Stubbs, Coyistitutional History, ed. 1875, and his fellows in Essex in 47 Hen. iii. (See
vol. ii, p. 73. For. Proc, Ex. Q. R., Bundle i., No. 20.)
== Patent Koll 75, m. 12. The rolls of the eyre held in 53 Hen. iii.
3 No records of this eyre now exist, (see p. Ivii note 1 below) show conclusively
except the rolls of the Wiltshire eyre, to that no eyre was held by Alan Zouche in
which the reference is For. Proc, Tr. of 46 Hen. iii., except in those counties for
Rec, 199, and of Worcestershire, Salop which records of an eyre in that year still
and Stafford, to which thp references have exist, and except also in the counties of
been given above. There is, however, a roll Hereford, Oxford, and perhaps also Buck-
of fines and amercements which show that ingham and Northampton.
THE FOREST EYRE Ivii
counties only were visited by him. This, again, was probably owing
to political reasons.
There was one more eyre^ in the reign of Henry III. The justices'
were Eoger of Clifford, Matthew de Colombieres, Nicholas of Romsey
and Reynold of Oakley. It began in the year 53 Hen. III., and
continued to the end of the reign, extending over nearly all the
counties of England south of the Trent in which there were forests.
It was probably the death of the king, in 1272, which prevented the
justices from visiting the remaining counties. Thus it seems that in
the latter half of the reign of Henry III., three forest eyres were held
south of the Trent at intervals of about seven years. The first began
in 39 Henry III., the second in 46 Henry III., and the third in
53 Henry III. In some counties the interval was longer and in some
shorter, but it would seem that seven years was supposed to be the
proper interval between one eyre and another. It was a recognised
rule ^ that this was the shortest interval between successive eyres of
justices for pleas of the crown and common pleas ; and it is probable
that the holding of the forest eyre was considered subject to the same
limitation.
In the reign of Edward I. the eyres began to be held much more
irregularly ; thus there was one in Sherwood Forest in 1287, and not
another** until 1334. This was an exceptionally long interval, but
in all the forests the intervals became longer and longer.
The Justices in Eyre.
It was usual for the justices of the forest north and south of the
Trent to be placed in all commissions of eyre in their respective
provinces.
' The records of this eyre are in the 30 September 1272, No. 72.
class of documents known as For. Proc, ^ They were appointed justices in eyre
Tr. of Rec. Tneir numbers in the class for pleas of the forest in the counties of
and the dates of the sessions in the differ- Eutland, Surrey, Hants, Dorset, Somerset
ent counties, to which the records relate, and Gloucester, by letters patent dated
are as follows :— Eutland, 25 June 1269, 9 June 1269. (See Patent Roll 86, m. 12.)
No. 140. Hampshire, 30 September 1269, The usual writ to the sheriffs for an eyre
No. 158. Dorset, 25 November 1269, No. in the counties of Hereford and Stafford
11. Wiltshire, 14 January 12ft;, No. 200. was dated 16 September 1271. (See Close
Somerset, 23 May 1270, No. 153. Surrey, Roll 92, m. 7 d.)
8 June 1270, No. 194. Gloucestershire, ^ As to this see Pollock and Maitland,
6 October, 1270, No. 29. Worcestershire, History of English Law, ed, 1898, vol. i.,
29 October 1270, No. 229. Staffordshire, p. 202.
30 September 1271, No. 184. Salop, * For the date of the eyre of 1287 see
3 November 1271, No. 147. Herefordshire, p. 61, and for that of 1334 see p. 65, below.
1 December 1271, No. 35. Oxfordshire, The rolls of the eyre of 1334 show that
22 May 1272, No. 137. Northamptonshire, there had been no eyre since 1287.
Iviii INTRODUCTION
Alan la Zouche ' and Eoger of Clifford who were included in the
commissions of 46 Henry HI. and 53 Henry IH. respectively were
justices of the forest south of the Trent, while William ^ de Vescy and
Ealph de Neville, who were among the itinerant justices at Notting-
ham in 15 Edward I. and 8 Edward IH. respectively, were justices
of the forest north of the Trent. It was a remarkable feature of the
eyre of William le Breton which began in June 1255 and ended in
the spring of 1258, that neither he nor any one of his colleagues was
a justice of the forest. At the beginning of the eyre Arnold •'' de Bois
held the office, but on the 1st September 1256, he was succeeded by
Eobert Walerand^ who was still justice of the forest south of the
Trent when the eyre closed.
The forest justices in eyre were usually men of some position.
William le Breton ^ held lands of the king in chief ; and had been
sheriff of the county of Essex. He was a lawyer who from time to
time filled various offices. He was one of the justices assigned for
the custody of the Jews in 36 Henry III. He was more than once a
justice in eyre for pleas of the crown and common pleas, and he was
for many years constantly employed as a justice specially com-
missioned to take particular assizes.
Geoffrey of Lewknor, one of the colleagues of William le Breton,
had a very similar career. He was at one time a justice assigned
for the custody of the Jews ; he was also more than once a justice in
eyre for pleas of the crown and common pleas ; and he was fre-
quently commissioned to take particular assizes. Unlike William le
Breton, who was only an itinerant forest justice late in life, Geoffrey
of Lewknor was employed in this way early in his official career.
Nicholas of Eomsey was a man who seems never to have per-
formed any important duties, either judicial or administrative,
except as an itinerant forest justice. He was one of the colleagues
of William le Breton in 1255, of Alan la Zouche in 1262, of Eoger
» Alan la Zouche and Eoger of Clifford (See p. 42 below.)
were appointed by letters patent dated ^ William de Vescy and Balph de
12 June 1261 and 8 August 1265 re- Neville were appointed justices of the
spectively. (See Patent Roll 74, m. 10, forest north of the Trent by letters patent
and Patent Roll 82, m. 11.) It is pro- dated 30 June 1285 and 9 October 1311
that Roger of Clifford was not a respectively. (See Patent Roll 103, m, 12,
justice in eyre in all the counties, as he and Fine Roll 131, m. 8.]
was succeeded in the office of justice of the ^ See p. 15, n. 3, below.
forest south of the Trent by Roger of * See p. xvi, note 3.
Clifford junior, who was appointed to the ^ For particulars concerning William
office by letters patent dated 1 August 1270. le Breton and his fellows, see Foss's
(See Fine Roll 67, m. 5.) It should be Judges of England. As to William le
noticed that at the Somerset eyre which Breton see also Britton, ed. 1867, pp. xxi
began on 23 May 1270 the place of Roger and xxii.
of Clifford was taken by Henry of Burghill.
THE FOREST EYRE ]ix
of Clifford in 1269 and of Roger of Clifford the younger ' in 1277.
It was probably thought desirable to include in a commission where
possible some person who had acted as a forest justice in a previous
eyre.
Pleas of the Vert.
The enrolment of the proceedings of a forest eyre is usually
divided into several sections, of which the two most important are
entftled * Pleas of the Vert,' and * Pleas of the Venison ' respectively.
The language in which the pleas of the vert are recorded is of a
monotonous character. Usually the nature of the trespass is not
mentioned, and the trespasser is merely stated to be liable for a small
sum of money ' for vert.' If the trespass was committed in the
king's demesne, the additional words ' in dominico ' are entered on
the roll. The following is a portion of the record ^ of the pleas of
the vert in the forest of Huntingdon at the eyre of July 1255.
PLACITA DE UIKIDI
De Ricardo Truke de Dulinton' pro uiridi . . . xijd.
De Rogero Fabr' de Pyrie pro eodem . . . .xijd.
De Willelmo le Pestur de Pyr' pro plegio eiusdem Rogeri xijd.
De Galfrido Rede de eadem pro eodem . . , .xijd.
De Albino Loom de Brampton' pro uiridi . . . xijd.
De Alano Kyng' de eadem pro eodem . . . .xijd.
De Laurencio filio Oseberti de Subo pro eodem . . xijd.
De Godefrido filio Robert! de Subo pro plegio . . . xijd.
De Rogero filio Emme de Bugeton' pro eodem . . xijd.
De Willelmo de Pentham in Subo pro uiridi . . , xijd.
De Laurencio filio Gileberti in Subo pro plegio . . xijd.
De Tboma filio Walteri de Dudincton' pro eodem . . xijd.
De Augustine Paum' de Aukenbir' pro uiridi . . . xijd.
De Godefrido de Subo pro uiridi xijd.
De Laurencio de Subo pro plegio .... fugitiuus ; nicbil.
De Willelmo de Pentham pro eodem .... alibi
De Henrico de Litlebey pro uiridi xijd.
De Rogero filio Thome de Raueleye pro plegio eiusdem .1
De Roberto le Carpent' de eadem pro eodem . . . j
De Ricardo ad Molendinum de Dylinton' pro uiridi . . xijd.
De Willelmo de Wynewicb pro uiridi .... pauper
' Eoger of Clifford and three others the rolls of the eyre held pursuant to these
were appointed justices in eyre for pleas letters patent is For. Proc. Tr. of Eec,
of the forest in the county of Essex by No. 12. The same justices afterwards
letters patent dated 4 February 127f. (See held sessions in eyre in other counties.
Patent Roll 95, m. 22.) The reference to ^ For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 41, Poll 2.
Ix INTRODUCTION
De Henrico filio Walter! de eadem pro plegio . . . xijd.
De Gileberto filio Kanulfi de eadem pro eodem . . mortuus
De Eoberto de Elyngton' pro uiridi . . . .xijd.
De Eoberto filio Sweyn pro plegio Karnes'
The total number of entries is seventy-six, of which the remainder
are in one or other of the forms just printed, except the four following.
De Waltero preposito de Elynton pro uiridi * . . . iiijs.
De Ricardo Ulf de Wodehurst quia fuit inuentus in
foresta contra assisam Ram'
De Roberto filio Uyel de Grafham quia cepit sex quercus
sine uisu et liberata xxs.
De abbate de Rames' pro boscis suis uastatis de ueteri et
pro defalta forestariorum suorum . . . . xx marce
The words ' pro plegio ' seem to have been used of the pledges who
failed to produce a trespasser at the forest eyre. Where a sum of
money is placed opposite a name and that name occurs again in the
list, the word ' alibi ' is placed after the name instead of a second sum,
and the first sum represents the total sum for w^hich the trespasser
is liable for all his trespasses. Probably the word ' Eamesia,' written
instead of a sum of money, means that the trespasser against whose
name it is placed was a tenant of the abbot of Eamsey, who made fine
at the eyre for all the trespasses of his tenants.^
The Pleas of the Venison.
The forest eyre was chiefly concerned with fines and amercements
for breaches of the laws of the forest. It was almost as much a
financial assembly as a court of law. The records of its proceedings
are memoranda of sums of money owing to the king rather than
registers of process and judgments. For this reason the pleas of the
venison, which might be expected to throw some light on the manners
and customs of the EngUsh peasantry, are disappointing. In general
they record those facts only from which the king might derive a fine
or an amercement. Often ^ they tell us nothing of a trespass, except
the sum by which the trespasser made fine for his release from
prison. It is even difficult to deduce from the mass of common form
in which the pleas are recorded the nature of much of the ordinary
process adopted in the administration of the forest law.
' The word ' Dominicum ' is written in Ed. iii. see p 67 below.
the margin of the roll opposite this entry. " See, for example, the case of Walter
'^ For pleas of the vert of the reign of the son of Eobert Perohead on p. 36 below.
THE FOREST EYRE Jxi
It was the usual practice ^ for the first enrohnent to begin
with some such words as, * It is presented by the foresters and
verderers, to wit . . . and proved ; ' while the first words of subse-
quent enrolments were, * It is presented and proved by the same
persons.' Apparently they mean that the presentment was made by
the foresters and verderers in the forest eyre, and that the fact was
proved by the production of the record of a special inquisition. We
may search in vain for any signs of a jury ^ at the forest eyre. Some-
times, indeed, the townships^ were required to come before the justices
so that they might certify them of the fact found by them in the inqui-
sition ; but there is nothing in the eyre rolls, which can lead us to
suppose that in ordinary cases they were consulted by the court.
The record of the inquisition seems to have been considered a satis-
factory proof of the facts which it contained, without the aid of
further evidence.
If the forest officers made a presentment which was inconsistent
with their records, they were either imprisoned or amerced according
to the gravity of their offence. An example^ of a verderer being
imprisoned occurred in the Northampton eyre of 1255, when it was
presented and proved that a certain ' beast ' was taken beneath the
hedge of the castle of Eockingham by the men of the parson of
Easton. The word ' beast ' is vague, but it can hardly be doubted
that it meant ' beast of the forest.' Yet one of the verderers, John
Lovet contradicted his roll, by saying that the beast which was taken
was a certain sheep, and on being convicted of this by the verderers,
foresters and his other fellows, was sent to prison. Probably the
justices asked him to explain the word ' beast ' and he gave a false
explanation with a view to screening a friend or avoiding censure for
' It is difficult to say precisely what presentment of the foresters, on the ground
was the procedure followed in the matter that the former could only enrol what the
of presentments at the forest eyi'e. On latter had presented to them. In the
p. 22 below, it is stated that the verderers Pickering eyre of 8 Ed. iii. the introductory
ought not to enrol anything in their rolls words are not in the usu-al form. Thus :
except a presentment of the foresters. It ' Presentatum est per predictos forestarios
seems clear, however, notwithstanding this et conuictum per uiridarios ' (Duchy of
statement, that they might enrol inquisi- Lancaster Miscellaneous Book, No. 1 fo.
tions. The presentments appear to have 203 r°.) See also the following note,
been entered on the rolls, as memoranda : - At the Pickering eyre of 8 Ed. iii.
that is to say, they were not expressed to be the introductory words to the pleas of the
presentments. See, for example, the case venison in some of the wards are as follows :
on p. 83. In such cases there seems to ' Presentatum est per forestarios et duo-
have been no inquisition or trial to which decim iuratores warde predicte et conuictum
the word ' conuictum ' can refer. It is a per uiridarios.' (Duchy of Lancaster Mis-
matter of doubt whether the foresters and cellaneous Book, No. 1, fo. 102 r", 104 v".)
verderers made their presentments jointly The mention of jurors in this case is quite
or severally. It may even be the case that exceptional,
the presentment of the verderers was the ' See pp. 71, 72 below. ^ See p. 3-5 below.
d
Ixii INTRODUCTION
an inadequate enrolment. The colloquy between the verderer and
justices would help us to understand some of the details of the pro-
cedure of the court, but nothing so frivolous adorns the records of a
forest eyre. This and other causes, however, tend to show that when
any further inquiry ^ was made before the itinerant justices about the
matters presented to them, it was by way of certification rather than
of rehearing.^
We have already seen ^ that the townships were amerced in the
forest eyre for not having come fully to make an inquisition, if they
had been unable to ascertain anything about the matters for which
they were summoned or anything sufficient to satisfy the justices.
In many of the forest eyre rolls the amercements of the townships are
written above their names in the clauses which state their defaults.
But sometimes instead of seeing a sum of money thus interlineated,
we see the word * alibi ' in its place. This, however, only happens
where the township, above the name of which the word ' alibi ' is
found, has aleady been amerced for not having come to some other
forest inquisition. Thus at the Huntingdon eyre of 1255 the townships*
of Great Stukeley, Abbots Kipton, Hartford and King's Kipton were
amerced for not having come fully to a special inquisition held ^ on the
22nd March 125|, and the amercement of each of these townships is
duly written above its name in the eyre roll. In the month of April,
1255, another special inquisition was held by the townships of King's
Eipton, Abbots Kipton, Hartford and Little Stukeley. At the eyre
held shortly afterwards, all these townships were put in mercy ^ for
not having come fully to the inquisition. But instead of a sum of
money the word * alibi ' appears in the eyre roll above the names
of three of the townships— namely, Kings Eipton, Abbots Kipton and
Hartford — all of which had been amerced for not coming fully to the
inquisition of the 22nd March 125f . On the other hand, the amerce-
' A good example of certification by the uiridarii et debent concordare et ueritatem
verderers occurs in the Northamptonshire dicere in omnibus et modo uariant in
eyre roll of 1256 : sermone coram iusticiariis, ideo comit-
' Philippus de Stanes homo domini tuntur gaolle.' {For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No.
Hugonis filii Kadulfi inuentus fuit in 68, Roll 1.)
parco de Clyue cum arcu et quatuor ^ In the record of the inquisition printed
sagittis barbatis et cum uno cane et duobus on p. 72 below, it is expressly stated that
gareionibus. ... Et Bogerus de Fodringhe the four townships were to come before the
et Johannes Caperun, uiridarii, requisiti de justices to certify them,
gareionibus, qui fuerunt et quo deuenerunt, ^ See pp. xliii, xliv above,
dicunt quod fugerunt nee potuit inquiri '' See p. 13 below,
qui fuerunt. Requisiti de canibus, cuius- * See p. 78 below.
modi canes essent, et Eogerus de Fodringhe * See p. 15. The record of the inquisi-
dicit quod brachettus et Johannes Caperun tion itself no longer exists.
dicit quod fuit mastinus. Et quia sunt «•
THE FOREST EYRE Ixiii
ment of the fourth township, Little Stukeley, which had not ah-eady
been amerced for not having come fully to some inquisition, is duly
recorded on the eyre roll.
The amercements of the townships varied considerably in severity.
At the Huntingdon eyre of 1255 the township of Yaxley, which
is recorded ^ as having failed to come fully to an inquisition on
one occasion only, was amerced six marks. On the other hand,
Brampton, which failed in this way no less than six ^ times, was only
amerced two marks. The smallest amercements for a single default
were of half a mark ' each.
On the file of the rolls of the Huntingdon eyre the amerce-
ments of trespassers against the venison were written above their
names as in the case of the townships. But on some files of eyre
rolls none of the amercements, whether of townships or of trespassers
to the venison, were interlineated in this way. For example, on the
rolls'* of the Northampton eyre of 1255 there is no interlineation of
amercements among the pleas of the venison, but on one roll ^ of the
file there is a list of fines and amercements for trespasses against
the venison.
Just as the eyre rolls only inform us that a special inquisition has
been held when the townships which held it were amerced for not
coming fully, so they only inform us that a trespasser has been
imprisoned to secure his appearance at the forest eyre when some event
has happened which has given rise to an amercement. Thus the
record tells us of a trespasser being imprisoned when the sheriff had
released him without an order ^ from the king or the chief justice of
the forest ; or when he had been delivered to pledges pursuant to such
an order, and the pledges failed to produce him at the forest eyre. In
the one case the sheriff, in the other the pledges,'' would be amerced ;
and consequently the fact of the imprisonment and the subsequent
default would be recorded. But if the sheriff had released his
prisoner to pledges upon the receipt of a proper mandate directing
him to do so, and the pledges produced him at the eyre, there would
' See p. 12 below. printed in this volume.
" Namely, once on p. 19 below, once on * See the case of Alan of Maiclwell on
p. 21, three times on p. 22, and once on p. 28 below. The fact of the imprison-
p. 24. ment also appears on the rolls when
' The following are examples of town- there was any irregularity about the
ships being amerced at this sum : Little delivery of the prisoner. See, for example,
Eaveley (p. 18 below), Wennington (p. 18) the case of Henry de Colleville on p. 12
and WooUey (p. 19). below, and the case of Simon of Houghton
* See pp. 27 to 38 below. on p. 14.
* Namely, on Roll 7, which is not ' Sec p. 35 below.
d2
Ixiv INTRODUCTION
be no amercement ; and consequently the fact of the imprisonment
would not be recorded.
If the tresjDasser had never been attached or, having been attached,
failed to appear before the justices in eyre, there were two modes of
proceeding. Either the sheriff of the county in which he lived or had
property was ordered to cause him to appear ; or if he could not be
found and had no property by which he could be distrained, the
justices directed him to be exacted in the county court, and if he
failed to appear in due course, he was outlawed. If, however, the
trespasser was a beneficed clerk who had no lay fee, the order was
sent to the bishop of his diocese, instead of to the sheriff, but if
he had no benefice he was exacted and outlawed as if he were a
layman. When the trespasser appeared, if the presentment of the
verderers was in proper form, the justices almost invariably
adjudged that he be sent to prison. But just as he might already
have been imprisoned in order to secure his appearance before the
justices, so now he was imprisoned not so much by way of punishment
as for the purpose of securing payment of a fine for his ransom.
In the eyre of William le Breton, the record usually states that
the trespasser * comes ^ and is detained in prison.' In some cases
nothing more is said of him, but in others the record continues,
' Afterwards he came and made fine by so many marks or shillings.'
In subsequent eyres, in place of the last entry we usually have,^
' Afterwards the aforesaid . . . being brought out of prison, made
fine by so much money.' Even where the enrolment of a plea ends
with the words, ' he is detained in prison,' there is generally evidence
that a fine was paid. Thus, although the pleas of the venison only
inform us of the imprisonment ^ of John Lovet for the false statement
which we have already noticed, and say nothing of any fine for his
release, yet the list of amercements * and fines on another roll of the
same file of eyre rolls shows that he made fine by twelve marks for
his mendacity and concealment. In several other instances the same
list supplements the deficiencies in this respect of the enrolment of
the pleas of the venison. It would seem that the clerk began enrolling
' A difficulty in translating may con- some cases the intention of the scribe can
veniently be noticed here. In some rolls the be gathered from other passages on the
expression, ' modo non ueniunt ' is used ; in same roll, but often no such assistance is
others ' modo non uenerunt.' Frequently, to be obtained.
however, the verb is not extended and its - See pp. 43, 54, 55, 56 and 57 below,
first three letters only are written, so that ^ See p. 35 below.
it is difficult to say whether ' ueniunt ' or ■* On roll 7 in dorso there is an entry
'uenerunt' is intended. It is also often as follows : ' Delohanne Louet, uiridario,
impossible to say whether 'uenit' repre- conuicto de mendacione et concelamento
sents the present or the perfo(3t tense. In duodecim marce.'
THE FOREST EYRE Ixv
the proceedings of this eyre before they were actually concluded. It
certainly was the usual practice for all or nearly all the fines made
in this way to be enrolled as part of the record of their respective
cases, and not be enrolled separately as in the rolls of the Northamp-
tonshire eyre of 1255.
The justices in eyre were appointed to hear and determine pleas of
the forest. But in the reign of Henry III. imprisonment for a defi-
nite period ^ was an unknown punishment. Men were detained in
prison either to secure their appearance on some particular occasion,
or in order that they might pay a ransom for their release. The
pleas of the forest, therefore, could hardly be said to be determined
until the prisoners had been ransomed. It is probable that, with rare
exceptions, the prisoners made fine with the justices before they left
the place where the imprisonment was adjudged. The words ' being
brought out of prison,' which often preceded the words ' made fine '
in the enrolment, seem to show that the assessment of the fine was a
matter which required the prisoner to be before the justices for the
purpose. It is most unlikely ^ that a prisoner would be taken out of
his gaol in one county to make fine with the justices when they were
engaged in hearing pleas in another county. We find, moreover, no
trace in the eyre rolls of any such a course being adopted.
The system of ransoming prisoners was not carried out oppres-
sively. The mere fact that there were as many as four justices was a
protection against the extortion which might have been practised by
a single judge. There certainly seems to have been no gross inequality
in the punishments which they imposed. Heavy ransoms were, on
the whole, rare ; but, as far as it is possible to judge, they seem to
have been imposed with good reason. John Lovet, for instance, who
was ransomed for twelve marks at Northampton in 1255, no doubt
had to pay a heavier ransom than most of his fellow prisoners. But
he was a man of good family, and probably a knight.^ Moreover,
being a verderer, it was only proper that he should suffer an exemplary
' By article 9 of the Charter of the abiuret regnum Anglie.'
Forest a man might be imprisoned for a Trespassers in parks might be imprisoned
year and a day. The article is as follows : for a year and day. As to this see pp.
' Nullus de cetero amittat uitam uel cxix-cxxi below,
membra pro uenacione nostra; set si ali- - It is possible, however, that in some
quis captus fuerit et conuictus de capcione cases the justices left a county before
uenacionis, grauiter redimatur, si habeat assessing the ransoms, and returned for
unde redimi possit ; et si non habeat unde that purpose a short while afterwards,
redimi possit iaceat in prisona nostra per * He and his fellow verderers are de-
unum annum et unum diem ; et si post scribed as ' domini ' on p. 100 below. See
unum annum et unum diem plegios also p. 22, note 1, below,
inuenire possit, exeat a prisona ; sin autem.
Ixvi
INTRODUCTION
punishment. On the other hand, we frequently find that trespassers
were pardoned ^ because they were poor ; and the justices seem to
have taken into consideration ^ the time which a prisoner had spent
in gaol before he had been released by writ to pledges until the eyre.
We can form a good idea of the system of ransom from the follow-
ing list of sums paid as fines for trespasses in Guildford Park at the
eyre ^ in Surrey in the year 1272 : —
£ s. d.
Peter Long 0 6 8
John of Aldham ^» ... 13 6 8
Andrew of Fremelesworth 0 10 0
Geoffrey de Brayboef . . 2 13 4
John the son of Aubrey .068
£
s.
d.
Thomas de Bois . .
. . 0
13
4
Ralph of Slyfield .
. . 0
6
8
Alan of Slyfield . .
. . 0
6
8
John atte Hook . .
. . 0
6
8
John atte Do^rn . .
. . 0
6
8
Eobert le King . .
. . 0
6
8
Peter of Dodleston
pardoned.
Miscellaneous Matters on the Eyre Bolls.
Besides the pleas of the venison and the vert, other matters were
recorded on the eyre rolls, of which some, however, are not found on
the rolls of every eyre. There was always a regard enrolled on them,
the nature of which will be explained in another section of this Intro-
duction. Again the names of those who were essoined of death were
invariably enrolled. Where a trespasser ^ died before the coming of
the justices in eyre, his pledges would be amerced just as if he had
been alive and had failed to appear, unless his death were proved by an
essoiner. The enrolment of the essoins does not disclose the nature
of the proof which was required. It merely consists of the words
• Essonia de morte ' followed by a series of entries, such as * I. de W.
essoniatur de morte per G. F. de W.'
' Cases in which the justices are ex-
pressly stated to have taken the poverty of
the prisoner ioto consideration in settling
his ransom occur on pp. 58 bis and 60
below. Many similar cases could be cited
from other forest eyre rolls.
* For instances in which the justices
considered the time a prisoner had already
spent in prison, in settling his ransom,
see cases in note 1 p. xli above and on pp.
29 and 30 below. At the Gloucestershire
forest eyre of 1277 a trespasser was allowed
to fhul two pledges only instead of six or
twelve, because he had already lain in
prison two and a half years :
' Manucaptores Willelmi Mile in forma
predicta duo tantum, quia iacuit in prisona
per duos annos et dimidium et quia pauper.'
(For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 30, Boll 25.)
The mainperners here mentioned were
pledges that prisoner would commit no
further trespasses against the venison.
* See pp. 54 to 61 below.
* It is not obvious why John of Aldham
had to pay so heavy a ransom.
^ For examples of persons being essoined
of death see pp. 12, 20, 35, 41, and 56
below. The entries on the list of essoins
corresponding to the two essoins mentioned
on p. 56 below are as follows : ' Wilhelmus
de la Hegge per Andream de la Hoke de
morte. Eadulfus de la Slow per Willelmum
Harefot de eadem.' (For. Proc, Tr.of Bee,
No. I'H, Boll 1 d.)
THE FOREST EYRE Ixvii
Although on the eyre rolls of the reign of Henry III. charters
and letters patent conferring rights and privileges within the forest
were seldom enrolled, the practice of enrolling them became general
in the reign of his successor, Edward I. There are more than sixty
grants of this nature on the rolls' of the Essex eyre of 1277, which
include a considerable number of twelfth century charters.
It was the duty of every owner of a wood within a forest to present
his woodward to the justice of the forest, in order that he might take
an oath of fealty before him concerning the king's venison. But a
presentment before this official was not sufficient,^ for at every forest
eyre the owners were again required to present their woodwards to
the justices in eyre, before whom they were again sworn. Sometimes
a presentment was made for the first time before the warden or deputy
warden of the forest, but this was only a provisional presentment
until the owner and the woodward could come before the justice. It
would seem from entries on the eyre rolls that on the appointment of
a new justice of the forest existing woodwards were often presented^
and sworn before him.
In most of the files of rolls of the eyre of William le Breton and
his fellows in 1255 and the two following years there are entries
relating to the presentment of the woodwards ; but in subsequent
eyres they are not to be found. The following are a few entries
from the Somerset eyre * of 1257.
Eotulus de Wodeioardis in comitatu Sumerset\
Boscus de Ceddre episcopi Bathoniens' unde lohannes Syward est
wodewardus. Presentatus fuit prime per senescallum episcopi Willelmo ^ de
Plesset', senescallo foreste de feodo, et non capitali iusticiario ; ideo episcopus
in niisericordia et boscus capiatur in manum domiui regis. Postea uenit
senescallus dicti episcopi et replegiat boscum domini sui et presentat dictum
lohannem wodewardum qui iurat etc. ; et remaneat donee episcopus
uenerit.
Galfridus Molkweye wodewardus eiusdem episcopi de bosco de Laewod'
presentatus fuit eodem modo quo lohannes Seward', ideo etc. Postea uenit
dictus senescallus ut supra et presentat dictum Galfridum, qui iurat ; et
remaneat.
Eobertus de Eoweberue, wodewardus abbatis sancti Augustini Bristoll',
non fuit presentatus etc. ; ideo etc. Postea abbas presentat dictum
' For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 12. * For. Proc, Tr. of Rcc, No. 152.
^ See the case of Walter of Clanfield ^ William du Plessis was hereditary
on p. Ixviii below. warden of the forests of Somerset. He
' See the case of William Curteis on was ancestor to Sabine Pecche, who was
p. Ixviii below. warden in 1300. See p. xvi, note 5, above.
Ixviii IXTEODUCTION
Eobertum wodewardum suum de bosco de Euberg', qui iurat ; et abbas re-
plegiat boscum suum.
Abbatissa de Sbaftesbur' presentat Walterum atte Pleystret' wodewardum
de bosco suo de Culmeton', qui iurat.
Willelmus de Blakemor' wodewardus Symonis de Insula de bosco de
Lokeston' presentatus fuit per literas patentes ipsius Symonis et iurat ; et
remaneat.
Willelmus de Eipariis per Willelmum [Deone] atornatum suum ad hoc
presentat Willelmum le Pottere de Wynesford wodewardum ad boscum
suum de Wyneford, qui iurat etc.
There is little variation in the fqrm in which entries relating to
the presentment of the woodwards are enrolled ; but the following,
taken from the rolls of the Buckingham eyre of 1255, illustrate other
features of the law on the subject.
^ lohannes Duraunt wudewardus domini Rogeri de Wotton de bosco suo de
Stocholt presentatus fuit coram domino R. Basset,^ senescallo foreste, per
dominum suum. Et postea presentatus erat per dictum dominum suum
coram domino E. de Bosco,^ iusticiario foreste, apud Selueston'.
Willelmus Curteis wudewardus Symonis de sancto Licio de parte bosci
sui de Westbur' presentatus erat coram H.-* predicto senescallo foreste apud
Heiburn' per dominum suum. Et postea coram domino E., predicto iusti-
ciario foreste, per dictum dominum suum. Et dominus eius modo uenit et
presentat eum wudewardum suum qui iurat.
Walterus de Clanefeld wudewardus domini lacobi le Sauuagede parte bosci
sui de Westbur' presentatus fuit coram W. de Norhamt',-^ senescallo foreste,
per dominum suum. Et postea coram iusticiariis dominis R. de Mohun ^ et
E. de Bosco per dictum dominum eiu§ modo uenit et presentat eum, qui
iurat.
Finall}' it would seem that Eoger of Clifford and his fellow justices ^
in eyre in 1269 and the two following years were directed to make certain
inquiries the answers to which are recorded upon their rolls. It is pro-
bable that before starting on their duties they received a list of interro-
gatories, which resembled the chapters * used when justices in eyre
were holdmg pleas of the crown. From the enrolment of the answers
it would be impossible to construct the questions, but they appear to
' For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 2. warden or steward of the forests between
^ Eobert Basset was probably deputy the bridges of Stamford and Oxford. See
warden only. p. 31, note 6, below.
^ Arnold de Bois was justice of the ' Eeynold de Moyon was justice of the
forest south of Trent. See p. 15, note 3, forest south of Trent. See p. 37, note 2.
below. " See p. Ivii, above.
• The person meant is Hugh of Gold- '^ Chapters on articles of the eyre used
ingham, as to whom see p. 11, note 2, and by justices in eyre for pleas of the crown
p. 108, note 4, below. varied from eyre to eyre. One set of them
* William of Northampton was deputy is printed in Statutes of the Realm, 1. 233.
THE FOREST EYRE Ixix
have related, for the most part, to the acts of the forest officers. There
were no recognised headmgs, correspondmg to ' Pleas of Venison ' and
' Pleas of the Vert ' to describe the answers, but in the forest of Eutland
they are entituled ' concerning ^ the extortions of Peter de Neville,'
and similar words of description occur in the eyre rolls of other forests.
These, however, were informal descriptions, which were followed by
entries relating not only to extortions but to other matters, such as
the title ^ of the hereditary warden and foresters in fee to their baili-
wicks, and the number of riding and walking foresters in the forest.
One of the interrogatories seems to have asked for the metes ^ and
bounds of the forest, for on many of the eyre rolls of the counties
visited by Pioger of Clifford the boundaries are recorded.
No general inquiries of this kind were made by William le Breton
in 1255, or by Alan la Zouche in 1262, when they and their fellows
were justices in eyre ; but others of similar nature were made in the
eyres of the reign of Edward I. The inquiries'* probably varied from
eyre to eyre. Their actual form survives in no official document, and
the answers were in general enrolled only when they led to some pecu-
niary profit to the king. In various unofficial documents, however,
there are copies of such articles of inquiry. Perhaps the best known
of them occur in the mediaeval law treatise ■-' known as Fleta, which is
considered to have been written about the year 1290. They are there
styled ' Uetera capitula de forestis ' and consist of fifty-one chapters.
Of these, the first eleven constitute another series of articles called the
Chapters^ of the Ptegard, and ought not to be joined to the remaining
forty, which are interrogatories of the nature just described. These
forty chapters probably represent inquiries used by the forest justices
in eyre about the middle of the reign of Edward I.
' See pp. 44 and 55, below. ponendos eos etc. Dicunt quod omnes
^ See pp. 45, 46, below. forestarii de feodo qui fuerunt post ultimum
* See pp. 53 and 61 below. iter ceperunt finem pro forestariis ponendis
* The answers to the interrogatories at et remouendis pro uoluntate sua. Quid et
the Cumberland eyre of 13 Ed. i. are quantum, nesciunt ; set non ad dampnum
arranged in nineteen paragraphs. The domini regis nee grauamen patrie. De
first words of each interrogatory are stated attachiamentis factis per garciones non
immediately before each answer, thus : iuratos nicbil sciunt.' {For. Proc, Tr. of
' Ad articulum qui forestarii vel balliui Bee, No. 5, Roll 38.)
ceperint finem uel mercedem indebite pro ^ Fleta, lib. ii., cap. xli., ed. 1685, p. 88.
cheminagio. Dicunt quod nuUus. Et qui « As to the Chapters of the Kegard, see
balliui uel forestarii de feodo ceperunt see p. Ixxv below,
finem uel mercedem de forestariis ad
Ixx INTRODUCTION
The Relation of the Eyre Rolls to the Rolls of Special Inquisitions.
Let us now consider in detail the relation of the rolls of the eyre
to the rolls of special inquisitions. There has survived to the present
day a portion of a roll of special inquisitions relating to the venison
in the forest of Huntingdon during part of the reign of Henry HI.
It has no title, but the first entry ^ which is enrolled upon it is an
inquisition dated the 4th March 124| and the last ^ a memorandum
dated the 28th April 1253. Its ten entries, of which seven are the
records of special inquisitions and three ^ the memoranda of trespasses
in the forest, follow one another in chronological order. The rolls of the
Huntingdon eyre •* of June 1255, have also survived to the present day.
These eyre rolls cover a rather wider period than the roll of special
inquisitions. The earliest-^ entry among the pleas of the venison
relates to a trespass committed in January 124f ; the latest to another ^
committed in April 1255. It is probable, therefore, that two mem-
branes, one at the top, the other at the bottom, of our roll of special
inquisitions, or perhaps two distinct rolls, have been lost.
For the purpose of considering the relation which subsists between
the two classes of records, the rolls of the Huntingdon eyre are not
satisfactory. Unlike other records of proceedings in eyre the entries
on these rolls are not in chronological order. They assist in establish-
ing the proposition that to every entry on the roll of special inquisi-
tions there is, in general, a corresponding entry on the eyre rolls.
But they do not assist us to determine whether there can be an entry
among the pleas of the venison on the eyre rolls without a corre-
sponding entry on the roll of special inquisitions.
We learn more from two rolls of inquisitions held in the years
30 to 39 Henry III. in the forest of Eockingham. Of these one''
consists of inquisitions and memoranda relating to events which
happened during the years 30 to 34 Henry III. ; the other ^ of similar
entries relating to events which happened in the five following years.
The contents of the earlier roll may be described as follows. There
are four inquisitions and two memoranda of 30 Henry III, ; two
inquisitions and one memorandum of 31 Henry III. ; four inquisitions
of 32 Henry III. ; three inquisitions and one memorandum of
' See p. 74 below. eyre are printed on pp. 11 to 26 below.
2 See p. 79 below. * See p. 19 below.
* The three memoranda will be found ' See p. 15 below.
on pp. 75, 78, 79 below. ' See pp. 79 to 93 below.
" The pleas of the venison heard at this * See pp. 94 to 116 below.
THE FOREST EYRE Ixxi
33 Henry III. ; and two inquisitions of 34 Henry HI. All the
inquisitions and memoranda, except two, follow one another in
chronological order. After the two inquisitions of 34 Henry III.
there occurs a series of entries under the heading ^ ' Venison taken by
the King's writ,' and this series of entries is followed by another ^
under the heading * Venison taken without warrant.' Both series of
entries are in chronological order.
There can be little doubt that the roll was transcribed from
original inquisitions and memoranda for the use of the justices in
eyre in the year 1255. The handwriting seems to be the same
throughout. More than one ink may have been used in writing it, but
there is nothing in the appearance of the roll to suggest that it was
written entry by entry at the dates of the occurrences recorded
upon it. The fact that one ^ of the inquisitions is out of chrono-
logical order points to the carelessness of a transcriber, while the two
series of entries ^ concerning venison taken by the King's writ and
without warrant, occurring as they do at the end of the chronological
series of inquisitions and memoranda, are hardly consistent with
piecemeal enrolment.
The first two entries ^ on the Northamptonshire eyre rolls of 1255
of pleas of the venison in the forest of Kockingham relate to trespasses
which were committed in 29 Henry III. — that is to say, in the year
before the date of the first entry on the roll of special inquisitions
which we have just been considering. The third entry relates to a
trespass which is undated. Probably a roll containing at least two
inquisitions and a memorandum, to which these first three entries
corresponded, once existed, and has since been lost. To each of the
next thirteen entries on the eyre rolls there are corresponding entries ^
on our roll of special inquisitions and they follow one another in the
same order. Even the entry ^ corresponding to the one which is out
of chronological order on the roll of inquisition is out of order on the
eyre rolls ; an error which can hardly be purely accidental in both
cases.
If the two records be carefully collated, it is hardly possible to
avoid the conclusion that thirteen consecutive entries on the eyre
rolls are based upon the thirteen corresponding entries on the roll of
special inquisitions. It is true there may have been other records
of special inquisitions which recorded the same matters as those in
' See p. 91 below. - See p. 92 below. ^ See pp. 27, 28 below.
' See p. 86 below. « See pp. 28 to 32 below.
* See pp. 91 to 93 below. ' See p. 30.
Ixxii INTRODUCTION
the roll which we now possess, and sometimes in a slightly different
language. We have aheady seen that there were two records ' of the
same series of inquisitions held in the forest of Huntingdon. If, how-
ever, there were other records of special inquisitions held in the forest
of Eockingham in the years 30 to 34 Henry III. they were not used
as a basis for the eyre rolls.
There is one important point to be noticed about the Eockingham
roll of special inquisitions of 30 to 3-4 Henry III. We have already
described its contents and have counted the numbers of inquisitions
and memoranda recorded in each year. If these be added together,
it will be found that it contains fifteen inquisitions and four
memoranda, or nineteen entries in all ; whereas there are only
thu'teen consecutive entries on the eyre rolls which correspond to
these entries on the roll of special inquisitions. Thus there are six ^
entries on the roll of inquisitions to which there are no corresponding
entries on the eyre rolls. These six entries are not consecutive but
are dispersed among the other inquisitions and memoranda. On the
other hand, to every entry on the Huntingdon roll of special inquisi-
tions there is a corresponding entry on the Huntingdon eyre rolls.
The difference between the two cases is probably accidental. We
have already noticed that the eyre rolls contain no information which
does not lead to a fine or an amercement. Thus, as we have seen,'
we are told nothing of a forest inquisition unless the townships are
amerced for not coming fully ; nor are we told anything of the
imprisonment of a poacher, unless the sheriff failed to produce his
warrant for releasing him to pledges or the pledges failed to produce
him before the justices in eyre. In the same way it would be quite
unnecessary for an enrolment to be made of the proceedings in any
trespass if the justices were satisfied that the townships came fully ;
if the sheriff duly produced his warrant for the release of a prisoner to
pledges ; if all the incidental requirements of the laws had been duly
observed, and if, in addition, the trespasser had died and his death
had been duly proved. As trespassers often died before the justices
came to hold a forest eyre, the absence of any entries on the eyre rolls
corresponding to six particular entries in the Eockingham roll of
special inquisitions of 30 to 34 Henry III,, can be most easily
explained by there being no amercements in the particular cases of
any person or township for defaults, and the trespassers themselves
having died before the date of the eyre.
' See p. xli above. 82, 86, 88, 89 below. Three of them occur
' These six entries will be found on pp. on p. 88. ^ See p. xliii above.
THE FOREST EYRE Ixxiii
The purpose for which our second roll ^ of inquisitions was compiled
is not apparent. Although continuous in point of time with the earlier
roll, it does not seem to have been used in the same way as the basis
of a portion of the eyre rolls. There are several entries on the eyre
rolls, to which there are no corresponding entries on the roll of inqui-
sitions, and the entries which correspond with one another on the two
records are not in the same order. Moreover, there are facts stated
in the eyre rolls of which we find nothing in the roll of inquisitions.
Thus, on the eyre rolls it is stated ^ that two malefactors on 4 October
1251 took a certain Eobert of Wick, the hunter of the justice of the
forest, bound him to an oak and afterwards permitted him to depart.
In the roll of inquisitions^ it is merely stated that two malefactors took
Eobert of Wick, when he was standmg at his post, and say nothing
further about binding him to a tree or permitting him to depart. This
may be a small variation, which admits of explanation, but the same
cannot be said of the inconsistent statements in the last entry on the
eyre rolls and the last entry on the roll of inquisitions, both of which
clearly are intended to refer to the same events. It should be noticed
also that there is a difference in arrangement between this roll of in-
quisitions and the earlier roll which we have already described. In
the earlier roll, the entries "* relating to the venison taken by the king's
writ and the venison taken without warrant come after the inquisi-
tions and memoranda ; while in the latter roll they occur among the
inquisitions and memoranda in chronological order.
It would seem, then, that some other roll of special inquisitions
extending over the years 35 to 39 Henry III., which no longer exists,
was used as a basis for part of the Northampton eyre rolls of 1255.
Nevertheless, many of the inquisitions recorded on the roll which we
possess probably differ but little in substance from those which were
recorded on the roll which was actually used.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the roll which has survived
is an inquisition ^ which was held before Sir Arnold de Bois, the justice
of the forest, on 2 October 1253. This is not a special inquisition
such as are the others on the same roll. It is described as having
been made concerning evil doers in the forest by thirteen jurors and
five townships. Nor was it made about a particular trespass by par-
ticular evil doers. Probably it was an exceptional inquiry made in
consequence of some alleged misconduct on the part of the foresters
' See pp. 93 to 116 below. * See pp. 91, 92 below,
2 See p. 32 below. * See p. 108 below.
' See p. 99 below.
Ixxiv INTRODUCTION
and verderers, for all the evil doers seem to have been forest officers
or their servants, and the verderers and foresters are not mentioned as
having taken part in the proceedings. The inquisition itself is im-
perfectly recorded. After a series of statements made by the jurors,
there comes another list ^ of thirteen jurors, who make further state-
ments, two - of which are to the same effect as others already made by
the first jurors. There are no introductory or marginal words which
explain the object of the second jury, but it is possible that some words
have been carelessly omitted and that the enrolment really represents
tw^o separate inquisitions held before Sir Arnold de Bois.
On the same roll there is another inquisition ^ which deserves notice.
It was made before the justice of the forest on 20 January 125| by
the foresters and verderers, who made four statements, the first two
relate to particular trespasses, the third ami^lifies the second, and
the fourth declares that two persons are evil doers to the venison.
This inquisition was of a different character from the one held on
2 October 1253. It was made by the foresters and verderers and not
by thirteen jurors ; and it was concerned with matters which would
usually form the subject of special inquisitions. It bears a close
resemblance to the general inquisitions * which came into use some
thirty years later.
There is an entry ^ on the Northampton eyre roll of 1255, which
seems to refer to some inquisitions similar to the one held before Sir
Arnold de Bois on 25 October 1253. It occurs among the pleas of the
venison, but its introductory words are not the usual ' it is presented
etc.,' but ' because it was found and enrolled in the roll of inquisitions
which Arnold de Bois, the justice of the forest, made in the bailiwick
of Stanion.' The facts which were there found and enrolled do not
occur in the roll of the inquisitions 34 to 39 Henry III., which we
possess ; but as they refer to offences committed by Hugh of Golding-
ham, the steward of the forest, the explanation of their absence may
be, that the roll belonged to him and he refused to enrol any matters
reflecting upon himself.
There are also entries on the eyre rolls corresponding to the
inquisition held before Arnold de Bois on 20 January 125f , but they
are ordinary presentments occurring among the pleas of the venison.
The entries which correspond to the first and last of the findings ^ of
' See p. 110 below. ^ ggg p j^g below.
- Namely, the statements as to Simon * See idjd. xlii to 1 above,
the son of Roger of Geddington on pp. * See p. 37 below.
109 and 110 ; and as to Walter Kakilberd " Namely, the entries relating to Wal-
on pp. 110 and 111. ter and Nicholas the sons of Sweyn and
THE FOREST EYRE Ixxv
the verderers and foresters at this inquisition are separate present-
ments ' among the pleas relating to the forest of Eockingham, but the
entry "which corresponds to the second finding, and the third, which is
supplementary to the second, should be looked for among the pleas of
the venison of the forest of Cliffe, relating as it does to evil doers in
the bailiwick of Morehay, which Hes in that forest.^
V.
THE REGARD.
Once in every three years an inspection of the woods within the
metes and bounds of the forests was or ought to have been made
by twelve knights chosen for the purpose. The inspection was called
by the author of the * Dialogus de Scaccario ' the * uisitatio ^ nemo-
rum,' but it was commonly, even in the twelfth century, known
as the Regard. The duty of the twelve knights who were called
regarders * was to find answers to a set of interrogatories entituled
the Chapters of the Regard. Although they appear to have varied
in form from time to time during the reigns of Henry IL, Richard I.,
and John, they acquired a rigid form early in the reign of Henry HI.,
which they retained throughout the reigns of the three kings who
succeeded him. At least three versions ^ of the Chapters have survived
Walter the son of Robert Perchead on p. Houeden, Rolls Series, iv. 65.)
112 below. * In the twelfth century the regarders
' See p. 36 below. It should be noticed were sometimes called ' viewers.' Thus a
that on the eyre roll the sons of Sweyn are charter of Richard i. to the bishop of
called Walter and Nicholas ; and that Worcester granted in September 1189 is
nothing is said on it of Ralph luelheryng, addressed ' iusticiis, uicecomitibus et
who is mentioned in the inquisition. forestariis et omnibus ministris et balliuis
2 See also p. Ixxxix below. et uisoribus forestarum.' (Charter Roll
^ ' Uisitatione nemorum, quam reguar- 130, m. 12, Entry 48.)
dam uulgo dicunt, que tertio anno fit.' Another charter granted to the canons of
(Liber i. cap. xi., Madox, History and Merton by the same king in the same month
Antiquities of the Exchequer, ed. 1679, is addressed ' omnibus iusticiis et uice-
ii. 394.) comitibus ministris et forestariis suis et
On the Pipe Rolls of 21 Hen. ii. we have: uisoribus forestarum de Sudereia.' (Chanc.
'Idem Radulfus reddit compotum de Carte Antiq., RR. or 49, Entry 10.)
ciiij Zi. XV s. X (Z. de comitatu de Lancastr', * There are also two manuscript ver-
ut uisus foreste poneretur in respectu usque sions of the Chapters at the Public Record
ad aliam reguardam.' {Publications of the Office, which appear to belong to the reign
Pipe Roll Society, xxii. 9.) of John. They bear a close resemblance
One of the articles of the forest assize of to the Chapters in the Chartulary of the
Ric. i., as given by Roger Howden, is as Priory of Worcester. The reference to one
follows : of them is For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 250,
' Statutum eciam est quod semper in and to the other For. Proc, Tr. of Bee,
tercio anno fiat uisus foreste, id est re- No. 249, Boll 22.
gwardum foreste.' {Chronica Bogcri de
Ixxvi INTRODUCTION
to our time. One occurs in an appendix ^ to the Chronicle of Eoger
of Howden, and apparently belongs to the closing years of the reign
of Henry II. There is another in the Chartulary ^ of the Priory of
Worcester, which, although not dated, is evidently of an earlier date
than the Charter of the Forest of November 1217, and probably
was issued at the time of the forest eyre in 10 John. The third,
which became rigid, is endorsed for the first time on the Patent EolP
of 13 Henry III., and again on many of the Close Polls of subsequent
years.
One of the articles ■* of the Charter of the Forest provides
that the regarders are to go through the forests to make the regard
just as it was wont to be made at the time of the first coronation of
King Henry II. and not otherwise. Another article ^ provides that
the inquisition or view of la wing of dogs in the forest should be made
in future when the regard ought to be made, namely from third year
to third year. We have no means of knowing whether the regards
were made with regularity ^ every third j^ear, but the procedure, as
far as we know it, was as follows. Before the king issued a commis-
sion in eyre he sent a writ ^ to the sheriff, ordering him to cause a
regard to be made before the coming of the justices; and in the usual
writ, which was sent to the sheriff ordering him to summon all who
ought to come before the justices in eyre, there was a direction that
he should cause the regarders to come with the regards. In the eyre
rolls all the regards since the last eyre were recorded ; but they were
not enrolled each one by itself. All the regards were incorporated
in the one, which was made pursuant to the king's writ, in such
a way that it read as if there had been one regard only since the
last eyre.
The Chapters of the Regard ® which appear on the back of the
Patent Roll of 13 Henry HI. are twelve in number. One of them is
' Chronica Bogeri de Houeden, Rolls hoininum et non aliter.'
Series, ii. 243. ^ A few original regards exist. Among
2 Registriim Prioratus B. M. Wigor- the most interesting are three which were
niensis, "Works of the Camden Society, presented to the justices in eyre at North-
vol. 91, p. 96, a. ampton in 1256. The reference to them is
' Patent Roll 37, m. 9 in dorso. For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, Nos. 64, 66, 67.
* ' Reguardores nostri eant per forestas ' The wi-it to the sheriff of Rutland
ad faciendum reguardum sicut fieri con- dated 21 Feb. 1229, ordering him to sum-
sueuit tempore prime coronacionis predicti mon all the foresters and regarders of his
regis Henrici aui nostri et non aliter.' bailiwick to make a regard, is printed in
* ' Inquisicio uel uisus de expeditacione Royal Letters, Hen. Hi., Rolls Series,
canum existencium in foresta, decetero i. 345.
fiat, quando debet fieri reguardum, scilicet, ' They are printed in Royal Letters,
de tercio anno in tercium annum ; et tunc Hen. Hi., Rolls Series, i. 346.
fiat per uisum et testimonium legalium
THE llEGARD Ixxvii
concerned with the herbage in the king's demesnes, another with eyries
of hawks and falcons in the forest, a third with forges and mines, a
fourth with harbours from which timber could be exported, and a
fifth with honey in the forest. To these five chapters there are often
no- answers recorded in the regards enrolled upon the eyre rolls. In
most of the forests there were no seaports ; and in many of them
there were neither forges nor mines. If the king's demesnes were
well kept, and if his rights with respect to the eyries of hawks and
falcons and to honey in the forest had not been infringed, there would
in general be no need for any enrolment about these matters.
The chapters which were considered to be of real importance
related to assarts, purprestures and waste, offences which yielded a
considerable revenue at every eyre. Each chapter contained several
questions. The first one was as follows :
The assarts made in the forest after the beginning of the second year
of the first coronation of Henry III. are to be viewed, and to be estimated
by the number of acres. And it is to be inquired who made them, and who
now holds them ; and with what corn they have been sown. And if they
sball not now be sown it is to be inquired with what corn they were sown
after the beginning of the secoud year of the first coronation of the afore-
said king or after the last regard made after the aforesaid time. And the
sowing of the winter corn ' is to be written by itself, and the sowing of the
spring corn by itself. And it is to be inquired of whose fee they are ; and
to what town they belong. And the assarts which were made before the
last regard made after the beginning of the second year of the coronation
of the aforesaid king are to be written by themselves ; and those which
were made afterwards by themselves.
Two series of questions relating to purprestures of different kinds,
and another relating to wastes, were chapters of the regard closely
resembling in form the chapter relating to assarts. Of the three
remaining chapters one directed a view to be made of the king's
demesne woods, and an inquiry whether the underwood and branches
in them had been impaired. Another ordered that all purprestures,
assarts and wastes in the king's demesnes should be viewed and in-
breviated in the same manner as before the Charter of the Forest.
The last declared that the regarders w^ere to inquire who had bows or
arrows, crossbows, braches or greyhounds, or anything else for doing
harm to the king's deer.
But instead of enrolling the answers of the regarders one by one
' The words ' winter corn ' are here used ' spring corn ' to represent the Latin ' tra-
to represent the Latin ' hibernagium ' and mesium.'
Ixxviii INTRODUCTION
and chapter by chapter, the clerk of the justices usually drew up an
abstract of those relating to assarts, purprestnres and wastes divided
into six paragraphs which between them contained all the informa-
tion required. The paragraphs were entituled respectively, the old
assarts, the new assarts, the old purprestnres, the new purprestures,
the old wastes, and the new wastes. And each paragraph contained
a series of formal entries, each of which related to a particular assart,
purpresture, or act of waste.
In the ' Dialogus de Scaccario ' essarts ^ are explained as follows :
Essarta uero uulgo diciintur que apud Isidorum occationes nominantur ;
quando scilicet foreste uemora uel dumeta quelibet pascuis et latibulis
opportuna succiduntur ; quibus saccisis et radicibus auulsis, terra subuertitur
et excolitur.
The word seems always to have implied the uprooting of trees and
the reduction of the land on which they stood to cultivation. An
assart might be made either in the covert or in a wood outside the
covert but within the metes and bounds of the forest. The punish-
ment for a trespass of this nature was an amercement at the next
forest eyre ; but the person who held the assart was also obliged to
pay a further sum for the crops sown upon it, which was assessed as
follows. For every acre of land the payment was a shilling for every
crop of winter corn, and sixpence for every crop of spring corn.^
Usually the same piece of land seems to have been sown alternately
with winter and spring corn, and to have remained fallow for a year
after a certain number of crops had been sown. The record seldom
states the nature of the corn sown in the winter ; but it occasionally
states that an assart has been sown with wheat or rye.^ In such
cases the tenant accounted for the crop as if it had been sown in
the winter. On the other hand, the tenant is frequently stated to
have sown his assart with oats,^ and as he is always charged with a
' Liber i. cap. xiii., printed in Madox, it was sown at all in assarts, it was prob-
Eistory and Antiquities of Uie Exchequer, ably included in the general word ' trame-
ed. 1769, vol. i. p. 396. sium ' or ' trameys.'
2 See p. Ixxvii, note, above. In the Forest Assize of Eich. i., as
= There are very few instances of rye stated by Eoger of Howden, the following
{siligo) being expressly mentioned in the article occurs :
record of a regard. Some instances occur ' In rewardo, autem, foreste hec supra-
in the regard recorded on the Staffordshire dicta uidenda sunt. Et uidenda sunt in
ejTe rolls of September 1271. (For. Proc, rewardo noua essarta et uetera inbladata
Tr. of Eec, No. 184.) Instances of wheat post ultimum rewardum et quo blado uel
being expressly mentioned frequently occur. legumine inbladata sint. Noua, autem,
* Oats are the only crops expressly sarta erunt m raanu regis ; si uetera sarta
mentioned in the regards, for which the inbladata sunt de frumento uel siligine,
tenants accounted at the rate of sixpence unaqueque acra dabit regi duodecim de-
an acre. Barley is never mentioned. If narios de ilia uestitura; et si inbladata
THE REGARD Ixxix
payment of sixpence for each such crop, it may be inferred that oats
were sown in the spring.
The entry recording an assart on the eyre rolls usually specifies,
as directed by the Chapters of the Eegard, the name of the lord to
whose fee the assart belongs. By the lord of the fee is meant the
person of whom the tenant of the assart ought to hold.^ Information
on this point would always be useful in identifying the property.
Moreover, as a lord must in general have been a consenting party to
the assarting and sowing of his tenant, it was desirable that the
justices should have his name in order that they might render him
responsible if his tenant made default. The following are entries ^
relating to the new assarts.
De nouis assartis.
Willelmus filius Warini assartauit de nouo apud Abbelyneli dimidiam
acram de solo proprio et in bosco sue sinewaranto. Et mortuus est. Terra
capiatur. Et fuit inbladata bis de iuernagio et semel de tremesio ; unde
Eua la Walech', que mode tenet eandem terrain respondebit nomine custodis ;
et de quindecim denariis.
Willelmus Rocbolf assartauit de nouo apud Scherchelench' octauam partem
unius acre de feodo Willelmi de Belle Campo sine waranto ; ideo in miseri-
cordia. Terra capiatur. Et non fuit inbladata.
Eogerus de la Holte de Stodleye assartauit unum curtilagium ad
latitudinem duarum perticarum et ad longitudinem trium perticarum ;
clausatum de fossato et bassa liaya ; ideo in misericordia. Terra capiatur et
clausum prosternatur. Non inbladata.
Thomas filius Roberti assartauit de nouo duas rodas ibidem. Et fuit
imbladata semel de iuernagio et semel de trameys ; ideo in misericordia.
Terra capiatur et clausum prosternatur ; nouem denarii.
The tenant of an assart was usually allowed to retain it subject to
his accounting for the crops at each eyre of the justices of the forest.
Thus the new assarts of one eyre became old assarts at the next and
subsequent eyres. Entries of the old assarts on the eyre rolls were in
the following form : ^
fuerint de auena uel hordeo uel fabis uel. faetis infra metas foreste de terris suis pro-
pisis uel alio legumine unaqueque acra priis et tenementorum suorum [sic] de nouo
dabit regi sex denarios de ilia uestitura.' arentatis, unde dominus rex uendicat sibi
{Chronica Eogeri de Houeden, Rolls Series, custodiam heredum talium et nihilominus
vol. iv. p. 65.) uendicat seruitium omne inde debitiim.'
' It seems that the king claimed that {Annales Monastici, Burton, Rolls Series,
assarts should be held of him and not of a i. 440.)
mesne lord. One of the articles of the ^ p^^^ Proc, Tr. of Bee, 231, Roll 8.
barons' petition of 12.58 was as follows : ' Ibid. Roll 7.
' Item petunt [remedium] de assartis
IXXX INTEOLUCTION
De ueteribus assartis.
EHas de Stanes tenet dimidiam acram ueteris assarti
inbladatam ter de iuernagio et ter de tremesio . ij s iij d
De Willelmo Corbet pro una acra ueteris assarti in
Sclialdesle ut prius iiij s vj d
De Isabella de Bosco pro dinaidia acra ueteris assarti
ibidem eodem niodo inbladata . . . . ij s iij d
De Koberto le Prouost de Cbadesle pro uicesima parte
uiiius acre ibidem eodem modo inbladata . . ij d ob
De Willelmo Dobes pro inbladacione dimidie acre apud
Cutbaldesheye inbladate ut prius . . . . ij s iij d
Purprestures are thus explained by the author of ' Dialogus de
Scaccario ' ' :
Fit interdum per negligentiam uicecomitis uel eius ministrorum, uel etiam
per continuatam in longa tempora bellicam tempestatem, ut habitantes
prope fundos qui corona annominantur aliquam eorum portionem sibi
usurpent et suis possessionibus ascribant. Cum autem perlustrantes indices
per sacramentum legitimorum uirorum hec deprebenderint seorsum a firma
comitatus appretiantur et uicecomitibus traduntur ut de eisdem seorsum
respondeant ; et hec dicimus purpresturas uel occupata ; que quidem cum
deprehenduntur, a possessoribus sicut predictum est tolluntur et abbinc fisco
cedunt. Uerum si is a quo tollitur occiipatum auctor est facti, simul etiam
nisi rex ei pepercerit, pecuniariter grauissime punietur ; quod si non auctor
sed heres auctoris fuerit, ad penam sufBcit fundi eiusdem sola reuocatio. Ex
quo sane, sicut ex aliis pluribus, regis misericordia comprobatur ; dum
patris tam enormis excessus non punitur in filio, qui usque ad factam
inquisitionem publice potestatis iactura ditabitur.
In this passage it is clear that the word purpresture meant an
encroachment on the king's demesnes by the unlawful occupation of
land ; but in the forest law it was used to signify an encroachment of
any sort upon the forest. Thus, it was a purpresture to enlarge a
curtilage in the forest, even though the land appropriated was not part
of the king's demesne ; or to erect a mill or make a fishpond within
the covert. So, too, it was a purpresture if a tenant of lands within
a forest enclosed any part of them with a hedge and ditch with-
out the kmg's licence. In these cases the offender was amerced
in the forest eyre, and an order was given that the enclosing hedge
and ditch should be removed. It frequently happened, however, that
the justices in eyre allowed the land to remain enclosed, on payment
' Lib. i. cap. x. Madox, History and Antiquities of the Exchequer, vol. ii. p. 424.
THE REGxVr.U Ixxxi
of a small sum of money in addition to the amercement. The follow-
mg are examples • of the enrolment of new purprestm-es on the forest
eyre rolls.
De noms purpresturis.
Willelmus de Berdeley ampliauit clausum suum apud Barndeleye de
decern perticatis in lougitudine et decern pedibus -^ in Jatitndine. Et clausit
paruo fossato et bassa haya sine waranto ; ideo in misericordia. Clausa
prosternatur etc. De feodo Henrici de Sturmy. Idem dat pro misericordia
et pro clausa ut possit stare duos solidos.
Willelmus de Purshull' ampliauit cortilagium suum apud Kosseliok' de
quatuor perticatis in longitudine et de sex pedibus in latitudine. Et clausit
ut prius sine waranto. Ideo etc. Clausa prosternatur. Idem dat pro
misericordia et pro clausa ut possit stare duodecim denarios.
Any enclosure of arable land by means of a hedge and a ditch,
although outside the covert of the forest, was reckoned a purpresture,
notwithstanding the fact that the Charter of the Forest permitted ^
every free man * to make arable outside the covert in arable land.'
In all such cases the offender was amerced at the forest eyre. It
should be noticed that a man might be liable for an assart and a
purpresture with respect to the same piece of land. He might cut
down a parcel of wood, reduce it to cultivation, and then enclose it
with a hedge and a ditch. In this case there would be a single entry
recording the facts on the eyre rolls, which might he found either
among the New Purprestures or the New Assarts.
' For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 231, example of the pro-vision of the Charter of
Roll 7. the Forest on this subject being set up as
- MS. pedes. a defence :
^ The text of the provision in the ' Presentatum fuit per regardatores . . .
Charter of the Forest is printed on p. Ixxxii quod T. prior de W. fecerat unam purpres-
below. It is not quite clear what the turam de sex acris terre et una acra prat
clause about arable land was intended to apud W.
signify. The following is an article of the ' Qui predicti iuratores dicunt ad primam
Chapters of Eegard which relates to the purpresiuram de sex acris terre et una
subject of arable land in arable land : acra prati, quod non sunt ibi nisi una acra
• Item uidende sunt omnes purpresture et dimidia terre i^er amensuracionem et
de terra arabili extra coopertum foreste quod est infra Akergarth et est terra arabilis
in terra arabili, facte post coufeccionem in terra arabili ; et quod idem prior de eo
carte domini regis de libertatibus foreste, in nuUo deUquit, quia bene licitum est sibi
et estimande per numerum acrarum et redigere terram arabilem in terra arabili
uidendum quo blado modo iuibladate fue- infra Akergarth prout continetur in carta
rint; et si modo imbladate non fuerint, foreste delibertatit)us foreste. Et ideo omnes
inquirendum quo blado imbladate fuerint regardatores . . . pro sua falsa presenta-
post tempus predictum, et quis eas tenet et clone in misericordia. Et ipse prior inde
ad cjuam uillam pertineant et scribantur quietus et ipsam acram et dimidiam habeat
per se.' et teneat imperpetuum.' {For. Proc, Tr.
The following entry on the rolls of the of Rec, No. 5, Roll 36 d.)
Cumberland eyre of 13 Ed. i. supplies an
Ixxxii INTRODUCTION
The following are some further examples of entries of New
Purprestures :
De nouis purpresturis.'
Eicardus Carettarius fecit quandam purpresturam apud Samburne de
nouo de feodo abbatis de Eaesham ; et clausit fossato et liaya sine waranto.
Ideo iu misericordia. Clausum prosternatur.
Robertas de Mep occupauit de nouo apud Ippele dimidiara acram de
feodo Henrici Hubaud ; et clausit fossato et haya sine waranto. Et mortuus
est. Alicia uxor eius modo tenet. Clausum prosternatur.
Ricardus de la Eudynge occupauit apud Hamme unam perticatam terre
in longitudine et tantum in latitudine de solo domini regis ; et clausit haya
sine waranto ; ideo in misericordia. Terra capiatur. Clausum proster-
natur.
Nicholaus filius Theobaldi de Pyrie occupauit unam acram apud Pyrie de
feodo eiusdem Theobaldi. Et non clausit ideo quietus et teneat eodemmodo.
Symon Aleyn occupauit unam perticatam terre apud Oddyngele et clausit
fossato et haya sine waranto ; ideo in misericordia. Clausum prosternatur.
Et conceditur ei ut domus et clausum stent.
Where there was a purpresture hy unlawful cultivation, the
trespasser was usually permitted to continue cultivating his land
subject to his accounting for the crops as in the case of assarts.
Thus the old purprestures of one eyre were the new purprestures
of some previous eyre. The entries recording the old purprestures on
the eyre rolls were in the same form as those recording the old
assarts — thus ^ :
De ueteribiis purpresturis.
De lohanne de Borstall' et Mauricio de Bynthon' pro inbladatura decem
acrarum ueteris purpresture de solo regis in Brymesgraue. Inbladatur ter
de iuernagjo et ter de auena .... xlv s.
De lohanne de Stupelleye, Willelmo de la Lynde et lohanne de la Lynde
pro inbladacione dimidie acre ibidem inbladate ut prius . . . . ij s. iij d.
De Roberto de la Brok', lohanne Gerueys et lohanne Cade pro inbla-
dacione decem acrarum ibidem eodem modo inbladatarum .... xlv s.
De Willelmo filio Willelmi, Thoma de Burnesforde, lohanne de Scherle-
ford et Nicholao filio Oseberti pro inbladacione decem acrarum ibidem
eodem modo inbladatarum .... xlv s.
An alteration in the law relating to purprestures was made hy the
Charter of the Forest, the twelfth chapter of which was as follows :
Unusquisque liber homo decetero sine occasione faciat in bosco suo uel
in terra sua, quam habeat in foresta, molendinum uiuarium stagnum
' For. Proc, Tr. of Eec, No. 231, Roll 8 d. = ibid, j\o. 231 , Boll 7.
THE REGARD Ixxxiii
marleram fossatum uel terrain arabilem extra cooperatum in terra arabili
ita quod non sit ad nocumentum alicuius uicini.
Thus, certain acts, such as the erection of a mill, which had
hitherto been accounted purprestures, in whatever part of the forest
they were committed, could henceforth be committed with impunity
outside the covert by the owner of a land or woods within the forest.
If, however, the owner or anyone else enclosed the land with a hedge
and ditch, he was guilty of a purpresture, notwithstanding the
Charter of the Forest.
Tenants of woods within the forest had the right of cutting wood
for fuel and the repair of their property. The precise extent of the
right and the mode in which it was exercised probably varied in
different forests. It is probable that m some forests they were
allowed to lop trees, subject to the supervision of the forest officers,
while in others they were allowed to take underwood and even fully-
grown trees other than oaks. But whatever the nature of the right
was, any abuse of it was recorded by the regarders in their rolls as
waste. In the eyre rolls the entries relating to wastes made since
the last eyre are styled ' The New Wastes,' and form one of the chief
features of the enrolment of the regard. They vary in form, but the
following are specimen entries ' :
De nouis uastis boscorum.
Boscus Felicie de Radeford' de Lenche Randholf , quern ipsa tenet nomine
dotis, uastatur de ueteri, et iterum de nouo per eandem ; ideo ipsa in
misericordia. Boscus capiatur in manum domini regis. De eadem Felicia
pro misericordia et quod rehabeat boscum suum dimidia marca.
Boscus Willelmi de Bello Campo de Alencestere uastatur de ueteri, et
iterum omnino deuastatur per eundem Walterum de nouo, et per Eobertum
le Loue, qui fuit seruiens eiusdera Walter! apud Alencestr', et per Rogerum
Careman et Willelmum Daybond, qui fuerunt wodewardi eiusdem bosci per
eorum uendiciones et dona ; et ipsi wodewardi dederunt unam carettatam
busce pro duabus carettatis extraendis ; ideo idem ipsi in misericordia et
bosci capiantur in manum domini regis. De predicto Waltero pro miseri-
cordia quinque marce.
Et abbas Alecestr' uenit et clamat habere estoueria sua in eodem bosco,
uidelicet, unam carettatam busce ^ uno equo. Et ostendit cartas regis Henrici
de confirmacione et dominorum feodi qui fuerunt antiquitus de donacione.
Ideo consideratura est et preceptum quod forestarii domini regis faciant ipsi
abbati liberatam in eodem bosco de cetero in forma predicta.
' For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 231, Boll 8 d. ^ MS. ' bosce.'
Ixxxiv INTRODUCTION
Boscus Henrici Hubaud apud Ippele uastatur de ueteri et iterum de nouo
per eundem ; ideo ipse in misericordia et boscus capiatur. Postea uenit
dictus Henricus et finiuit tam pro misericordia quam pro bosco suo
rehabendo ; uiginti solidos ; plegii Simon Leuelaunse et Nicholaus Nel,
When the owner of a wood which he had wasted had made fine for
his amercement and for having his wood again, he was still bound to
pay half a mark at every fore&t eyre until the wood had grown into
its former state. These payments occur in the record of every regard
on the eyre rolls, thus ' :
De uastis boscorum de ueteri.
De Willelmo de Bello Campo comite War' pro ueteri uasto bosci sui de
Abbelynch' .... dimidia marca.
De sacrista de Euesham pro ueteri uaato bosci de Attelench .... dimidia
marca.
De Walter© de Kocesey pro ueteri uasto bosci de Lencli Randolf ....
dimidia marca.
When the wood has grown to the state in which it was before it
wasted the entry on the eyre rolls is usually similar to the
following ^ :
Boscus Eicardi de Portesye apud Fortes'^ uastatur de ueteri. Postea
protestatum est per uiridarios forestarios [et] regardatores quod boscug
predictus bene reuenit ; ideo idem Eicardus dat domino regi dimidiam
marcam pro eodem bosco, ne de cetero presentetur in uetus uastum. Et
hoc regardatoribus preceptum est.
As already stated, some of the answers which were given by the
regarders were often not recorded upon the eyre rolls. Besides the
six paragraphs relating to assarts, purprestures and wastes, the only
answer which was usually recorded upon them was a list of persons
having greyhounds within the forest. A few records, however, of the
original regards presented to the justices in eyre have survived from
which we may learn the manner in which all the chapters were
answered by the regarders. The original record ^ of the three regards
made in the forests of Cliffe and Eockingham in the years 34, 37 and
39 Henry IH. respectively is among the most interesting of those
which have survived. It proves that the regarders were not bound
to frame their answers in strict accordance with the words of the
chapters. The fifth chapter "* was as follows :
• For. Proc, Tr. of Rec.,No. 231, Eoll 9. ' Eoijal Letters, Hen. Hi., Eolls Series,
2 Ibid. No. 158, Eoll 17. i. 3i7.
' Ibid. No. a?.
THE REGARD Ixxxv
Et uidendi sunt dominici bosci domini regis et quilibet ceppus de quercu
et de fago factus post prineipium seeundi anni prime coronacionis predicti
regis Henrici sine post ultimum regardum, si quod postea factum fuerit, debet
diligenter nominari et per se scribi et inquirendum utrum bosci deteriorati
f uerint de subbosco uel exbrancatura et deterioratio subbosci et exbrancatura
scribatur per se.
The answer ^ of the regarders to this chapter is recorded thus :
Cippi quercuum ; anno regni regis Henrici xxxiiij.
Uidendi sunt omnes dominici bosci, et quilibet ceppus etc. Numerua
cepporum inuentorum in dominicis boscis domini regis tempore W. de
Norhamp".
In bosco de firma de Clyue inuenti fuerunt xxxvij ceppi.
In parco de Cliue inuenti fuerunt Iviij ceppi.
In Morbey inuenti fuerunt xv ceppi.
In bosco de Dudigton' xj ceppi.
Ill parco de Bricstoke inuenti fuerunt xliij ceppi.
In Bulax et Exbawe inuenti fuerunt xix ceppi bletron'.
Item in eisdem boscis inuenti fuerunt Ix ceppi.
In seeundo reuardo de ceppis ; anno regni regis Henrici xxxvij.
Dicunt quod inuenti fuerunt sexies-uiginti et v ceppi per totam balliuam
de Clyue in dominicis boscis domini regis.
Item dicunt quod inuenti fuerunt in baliua de Brikestoke, scilicet in
parco et in bosco de Geytingtun' quinquies-uiginti ceppi.
In tereio reuardo de eeppis ; anno regni Henrici xxxix,
Dicunt quod inuenti fuerunt in parco de la Clyue octies-uiginti et xij
ceppi.
In bosco de Firma de Cliue inuenti fuerunt xxxvij ceppi.
In bosco de Syuele inuenti fuerunt qiTinquies-uiginti et xix ceppi.
In bosco Vesthey inuenti fuerunt Ix ceppi.
In bosco de Morbey lix ceppi.
In bosco de Tothou xx ceppi.
In parco de Bricstoke et in bosco de Geytintun' inuenti fuerunt ccc et
vij ceppi.
In bosco de Firma inuenti fuerunt clvj ceppi.
It will be seen that the regarders ignored a portion of the fifth
chapter and only answered the remainder of it in a very inadequate
fashion. In the second regard they do not even state how many
» For, Proc, Tr. of Eec, No. 67, m. 7.
IxXXVl INTRODUCTION
* ceppi ' or stumps were found in the different demesne woods of the
forest ; they merely record the total number found in the two baili-
wicks in which the demesne woods were situate. The record of the
regards continues briefly as follows :
Item uidende sunt dominice haye domini regis. Dicunt quod nichil
sciunt ; sed bene custodiuntur.
Item dicunt quod de purpresturis nee assartis factis in dominicis domini
regis nichil sciunt.
Item uidende sunt omnes aerie austurcorum speruariorum et falconum
etc. Dicunt quod nichil sciunt. •
Item uidendi sunt portus quibus applicant naues etc. Dicunt quod nichil
sciunt.
Item uidendum est mel etc. Dicunt quod I. de H. in Stanerne exarsit
in altitudine septem pedum unam quercum in dominico bosco domini regis
pro melle inuento.
Item milites debent attente inquirere etc. Dicunt quod H. de E. habet
leporarios - brachettos ad leporem wlpem et catum capiendum.
Item dicunt quod W, de B. habet leporarios - brachettos ad idem.
Nine entries similar to the last of the above conclude the original
record of this regard. Although it contains answers to several
chapters which, as a rule, are not recorded upon the forest ejre rolls,
it contains no answer to the chapter which was concerned with forges
and mines. Moreover, to three of the chapters the regarders merely
answer that they know nothing. This was no doubt the answer which
was usually given to most of the chapters other than those which
asked for information about assarts, purprestures and wastes, and
greyhounds kept within the metes of the forest. When all the in-
formation which the regarders could give was that they knew nothing,
there was obviously no need for an entry on the forest eyre rolls, for
no profit to the king could arise from such an answer.
In the thirteenth century the regarders appear to have had no
duties to perform except to make the regard ; but by the * Ordinacio ^
Foreste' of 1301, they were required to attend the general inquisi-
tions or swanimotes together with the foresters, verderers and agisters.
They were chosen by the sheriff on receipt of the w^it which directed
a regard to be made shortly before the forest eyre. In the intervals
between the eyres, there were no elections of regarders, but at the
forest inquisitions held after the ' Ordinacio ^ Foreste,' any deficiency
' It is not improbable that the answers to recorded upon the eyre rolls,
this chapter were sometimes incorporated ^ It is probable that the word ' et ' is
in the paragraphs ' De Nouis Purpresturis ' omitted here,
and ' De Ueteribus Purpresturis ' which are ' Statutes of tJie Realm, i. 147.
THE REGARD Ixxxvii
in their number was supplied by persons who were appointed regarders
for a day only.
No salary attached to the office of a regarder, but it is probable
that the expenses of the regard fell upon the inhabitants of the forest.
In an inquisition held at Farnham in 42 Edward III.* the jurors
make the following declaration :
Item dicunt quod abbas de Wauerle a tempore sine memoria tenetur
inuenire apud Dakkenfeld' forestariis et regardatoribus doniini regis in
regardo faciendo unum repastum, herbergagium ^ per unam noctem, fenum
et auenas pro equis eorum.
VI.
THE CLEEGY
There was a special procedure for clerks^ accused of felonies in
the King's court differing from that which obtained in the case of
laymen similarly accused. So, too, there was a special procedure for
clerks accused of trespasses in the forests. Henry II., it is true,
evidently desired to have a uniform procedure for poachers whether
clerks or laymen ; although in this respect his policy was ultimately
unsuccessful. As early as the year 1176 we find him writing ^ to the
pope, Alexander III., declaring that he had made certain concessions
to the papal legate. The first of these was as follows :
Uidelicet quod clericus de cetero non trahatur ante iudicem secularem in
persona sua de aliquo criminali, neque de aliquo forisfacto, excepto forisfacto
forests mee, et excepto laico feodo unde micbi vel alii domino secular! laicum
debetur seruitium.
Again, the assize of Woodstock, which, according to Dr. Stubbs, was
issued in 1184, contained this provision : ^
Item rex defendit quod nullus clericus ei foriafaciat de uenacione sua nee de
forestis suis ; precepit bene forestariis suia quod si inuenerint eos forisfacientes,
non dubitent in eos manum ponere, ad eos retinendum et attachiandum ; et
ipse eos bene warantizabit.
' For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, 310, Skin 18. vol. i. pp. 439-457-
' MS. 'herbigagium.' * Radulfi de Diceto Opera Sistorica,
^ For the status of the clergy in the Rolls Series, i, 410.
thirteenth century see Pollock and Mait- ^ The text of this provision is taken from
land, Historij of Enrjliah Laio, ed. 1898, Gesta Henrici, Rolls Series, vol. ii. p. clxiii.
Ixxxviii INTRODUCTION
Thus it is clear that he wished clerks to be impleaded in his own
courts for offences against the forest law, although he was willing that
they should not be impleaded there for other offences. He wished,
also, that the privileges of the clergy should not prevent the foresters
from attaching and arresting them for trespasses against the
venison.
We shall probably never have sufficient material to enable us to
learn in detail what was the procedure in the case of poaching clerks
in the reigns of Henry II., and his sons Eichard I. and John.' In the
reign of Henry III., however, we can learn the greater part of the
procedure from the rolls of the forest eyre. If a clerk and a layman,
both accused of trespass, failed to make an appearance at the forest
eyre, the justices would direct the sheriff" to cause the layman and the
bishop to cause the clerk to come respectively. This is evident from
the following ^ and many other examples.
Presentatnm est et conuictum per eosdem quod Galfridus filius Eoberti
de Sutorp, magister Willelmus persona de Bernak', Gilebertus de Dunstal,
Robertus persona de Pokebroc, Gilebertus de Bernak', Johannes Faunel et
Johannes Syrey sunt malefactores uenacionis. Et Gilebertus de Bernak'
uenit et detentus est in prisona. Et Galfridus filius Roberti, persona de
Bernak' et Gilebertus de Dunstal, persona de Pokebroc', Johannes Faunel et
Johannes Syry non ueniunt ; ideo preceptum est uicecomiti etc. quod etc.
dictos laicos Et mandatum est episcopo Line' quod venire faciat Robertum
personam de Pokebroc' et Willelmum personam de Bernak etc.
If, however, the bishop returned no answer to the mandate of the
justices, they would direct that the defaulting clerk should be exacted
in the county court. Thus :
Presentatum est per eosdem et conuictum quod doniinica proxima post
festum sancti Jobannis Baptiste anno tricesimo quinto magister lobanues
de Brudeport transiens per forestam uersus Lacok' inuenit quandam bestiam
captam per quendam leporarium album, cuius bestie medietatem secuni
asportauit sine waranto ; et modo non uenit nee fuit attachiatus ; ideo
mandatum est episcopo Sarr' quod faciat euni uenire etc. a die sancte
Trinitatis in quindecim dies. Ad diem non uenit nee episcopus aliquid
retornat ; ideo dictus Johannes exigatur et utlagetur.^
' The following letters patent of 7 June custodia habeatis, uel quos uos pro aliquo
1200 should be noticed : forisfacto quodcunque sit eontigerit habere.
' lohannes dei gracia etc. iusticiariis nice- Et prohibemus ne quis aliquem clericuiu
comitibus etc. Sciatis nos concessisse uene- pro quocunque forisfacto detinere presumat
rabili patri nostro H. Cant' arcliiepiscopo postquam prefatus archiepiscopus ipsum
custodiam omnium clericorum captiuorum requisierit. Testibus Willelmo Maresc'
pro quocunque forisfacto fuerint capti uel comite de Penbroc etc. apud Argent' septimo
detenti. Undeuobistirmiterprecipimus quod die lunii.' {Rotidi Chartarum, p. 6S.)
eidem archiepiscopo reddatis omnes clericos '^ For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 68, lioll 2.
quos in custodia uestra habetis, si quos in ^ Ibid. No. 1*J8, Boll 6.
THE CLErxGY Ixxxix
If on the other hand the clerk duly appeared in court the justices
would proceed with his case just as if he were a layman ; and would
sentence him to prison. But if the bishop then claimed him as a
clerk, the justices would surrender him as one convicted of an offence
against the forest laws. Thus, at the Northampton forest eyre of
1256, two clerks, John the son of John Caperun and William the son
of the parson of Thornhaugh were committed to prison. The record ^
of the case continues thus :
Et super hoc uenerunt magistri Walterusdecanus Norhamt' etWillelmns
de Lindes' atornati episcopi Lync' ad recipiendos clericos a prisona coram
iusticiariis, et pecierunt dictum lobannem filium lohannis Caperun ; et
liberatur eisdem tanquam clericus. Et quia uxoratus est et babet laicum
feodum, preceptum est uicecomiti quod capiat terram etc. ; ita quod manum
etc. Et postea ueuit lobannes Caperun et finiuit per quadraginta solidos.
Postea uenerunt magistri Walterus decanus Norbamt' et Willelmus de
Lyndes' et pecierunt Willelmum filium persone de Tornbawe, eo quod
clericus est ; et liberatur eisdem tanquam conuictus et apertus malefactor de
uenacione, quia dicti magistri fuerunt atornati episcopi Lync' per litteras
patentes ad petendum clericos inprisonatos coram iusticiariis, ... Et
postea uenit Willelmus filius persone de Tornbawe, et finiuit per unam
marcam.
The actual form of the letters patent which the bishops used on
these occasions is recorded on one of the rolls ^ of the Wiltshire eyre
of 1257:
Nouerint uniuersi presentes literas inspecturi quod nos E. dei paciencia
Sar' ecclesie minister bumilis dilecto filio decano de Wylton' committimus
uices nostras quociens nosraetipsos uel ofiicialem nostrum generalem abesse
contigerit. Et in buius rei fidem et testimonium presentibus sigillum nostrum
duximus apponi. Date apud Brombal' quindecimo die lunii anno gracie
mcclvij.
But although a clerk might be delivered to the bishop as one con-
victed of a trespass in the forest, he did not escape punishment. He
had to make fine just as if he were a layman. This is evident from
the case of William the son of the parson of Thornhaugh, who,
although delivered to the attorneys of the bishop of Lincoln, subse-
quently made fine by a mark. Indeed it frequently happens that the
record merely states that the clerk made fine without stating that he
had been dehvered to the bishop. In such cases either the clerk
made fine without waiting to be delivered, or the record is silent
about the delivery, because as the fact led to no profit to the king, there
' For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 68, Roll 2. ■' Ibid. No. 198, Bull 10,
XC IXTEODUCTIOX
was no need for its enrolment. The ease of Eobert the parson of
Polebrook and William the parson of Barnack, part of which is
printed above, supplies an instance of clerks making fine without it
being stated on the rolls that they were delivered to the bishop. The
enrolment of this case proceeds :
Postea uenit Gilebertus de Bernak' et finem fecit per quadraginta solidos
per pleuinam Mauricii de Andeli et Thome de Welham capellani. Postea
Willelmus persona de Bernak' taxatur ad uiginti solidos. Et Eobertus
persona de Pokebroc taxatur ad decern marcas. Et loliannes Faunel pauper
et perdonatur.
In this case it will be observed that the clerks are described as
being taxed, and not as making fine. The use of the expression can-
not be easily explained. It seems to have been used generally when
the clergy had been convicted of a trespass against the venison. But
in some cases clerks made fine and m others laymen were taxed.
The forest procedure was evidently considered as very unsatis-
factory by the clergy, for in the year 1257, they, having granted to
the king a sum of fifty thousand marks, drew up a long list ^ of
grievances which contained the two following articles ^ :
Item, cumcontiogit clericum pro delicto forestedefamari, per inquisicionem
uiridariorum et forestariorum super capcione uenacionis uocatur coram
iusticiariis ; et licet ab ordinariis repetatur, nisi prius carceri laicah manci-
petur, suo ordinario uullatenus hberatur ; et post liberacionem factam
episcopo, per inquisicionem factam per laicos pena pecuniara condempnatur.
Item similiter condempnanturabsenteset ignorantes ad simplicem uocem
uiridariorum et forestariorum cum ad inquisicionem per laicos factam non
debeaut condempnari clerici uel aliqualiter iudicari, et tam isti quam illi
compelluntur soluere merciamenta per possessiones laicales si quas babent.
Sin autem, distriuguntur episcopi per barouias suas, ut dictos clericos com-
pellant de suis beneficiis soluere condempnacionem.
The meaning of the clause ' nisi prius carceri laicali mancipetur '
in the first of these articles is not quite clear, but it seems that the
justices refused to deliver an accused clerk to the ordinary unless he
had previously been imprisoned by way of process to secure his
appearance at the forest eyre. If he had been so imprisoned, the
' Math. Pai-is. Chronica Maiora, Eolls iniuriam ]Dasso, per eiindem ordinarium
Series, vi. 356, 357. satisfacere compellatur ; et alias arbitrio
" Tliese articles should be compared with ordinarii sui canonica pena puniatur.'
the Merton articles of the year 1258, which {Annales Mmiastici, Burton, Eolls Series,
include the following : p. 417.)
' Clericus tamen super transgressione The Merton articles are also printed in
foreste coram suo ordinario canonice con- Wat's editions of Mathew Paris, ed. 1640,
uictus, domino regi uel alio damnum et p. 201, and ed. 1684, p. 1123.
THE CLERGY Xci
justices would deliver him to the ordinary as a clerk convicted of a
trespass against the forest laws. It also appears that the justices
refused to allow the pecuniary penalty to be assessed by the bishops
in their courts. The punishment of a poaching clerk was considered
to be as much a matter for the king as his trial.
The clergy also enjoyed an immunity from the necessity of finding
pledges for their appearance at the forest eyre when accused of
offences against the venison. Sometimes it is stated in the record
that a man was not attached because he was a clerk. Of this we have
an example ^ from the Northampton eyre of 1253.
Presentatum est per forestarios et uiridarios quod die ^ Martis proxima
post festum sancti Gregorii anno tricesimo octauo quod Willelmus Belayys
bomo Walteri de Rudham persona de Treng' occidit quendam ceruum in
bosco de Blysewurth' quern ceruum idem Walterus liabuit. . . . Et Walterus
de Rudham non uenit nee fuit attachiatus quia clericus ; ideo mandatum est
episcopo Line' quod faciat eum uenire etc.
On the other hand, it seems clear that the clergy were, in fact,
liable to arrest, when found in the act of trespassing in the
forest, although they did not admit liability. Thus in the year 1251
the foresters of Wey bridge arrested^ a servant of John of Crakehall,
who was found trespassing in the forest by night. The vicar of
Huntingdon and a servant of the bishop of Lincoln demanded that he
should be delivered from prison and restored to Holy Church. They
threatened to excommunicate the foresters and then went to the
prison and dragged out the offending clerk. At the eyre the vicar
was ordered to appear before the justices and was delivered as one
convicted of these facts to the archdeacon of Huntingdon, who was
probably attending the court as the attorney of the bishop for the pur-
pose of receiving clerks. The servant of John of Crakehall was also
delivered to the archdeacon as one convicted of manifest evil doing to
the venison, while John himself, who a few years later was Treasurer
of England, was amerced ten marks for harbouring him after his
evil deeds.
Again, in January 125f a clerk'' was found trespassing by night in
the forest of Eockingham. The foresters demanded gage and pledge
of him, but according to the record he could not find pledges to them.
This was only another way of recording that he claimed his clerical
privilege. Nevertheless the foresters arrested him, but he managed
to escape from their custody. The record is unfortunately damaged,
' For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 70, Roll 3. ' See pp. 12, 13, 77, 78 below.
■" 10 March 125|. " See pp. 33, 94 below.
XCll INTRODUCTION
and it cannot be ascertained whether he escaped by his own efforts or
with the assistance of some of his fellow clerks.
When a clerk had once been arrested and imprisoned, the sheriff
was not entitled to release him without a proper warrant. The fol-
lowing entry/ however, shows that the delivery would be made to the
bishop and not to pledges, as was the practice in the case of laymen.
Presentatum est per eosdem quod Bate de Lyueden et Gilebertus ' de
Donestan' capti fueruut apud Ouerton' et liberati lohanni le Moyne tunc
uicecomiti Huntind' ad inprisonandum ; ideo mandatum est uicecomiti qui
nunc est quod faciat uenire ipsum lobannem le Myne et quod distringat
ipsum quod ueniret die Sabbati post octabas apostolorum Petri et Pauli.
Ad diem uenit uicecomes et produxit Gilebertum de Dunston' qui detentus
est in prisona. Et de Bate de Lyueden' dicunt quod clericus fuit et
tempore uacacionis^ episcopatus Line' deliberatus fuit arcbiepiscopo
Cantuar ' ; set nullum inde profert warrantum ; ideo dictus lobannes, tunc
uicecomes inde responsurus est etc. Et testatum est per uiridarios quod
dictus Gilebertus non fuit malefactor nisi solummodo quod fuit cum Roberto
de Longueuill' et non consenciens malefactis suis. Et iacuit in prisona de
Cantebr' per duos annos ; ideo inde quietus. Postea taxatur Robertus de
Longueuile ad quadraginta solidos."*
Robert de Longeville, mentioned in this entry was himself a
clerk, being the parson of Orton or Overton in the county of
Huntingdon, whom the foresters and verderers had already presented
as an evil doer in the forest. It should be noticed that, like the
parsons of Barnack and Polebrook, he does not make fine for his
offence but is taxed.
On the rolls ^ of the Nottingham eyre of 1334 there are no traces of
a special procedure for clerks. But this may be partly explained by a
change in procedure which applied to both clerks and laymen. In the
thirteenth century when a layman failed to appear at the forest eyre,
the sheriff was ordered to cause him to come on a given day, and when
a clerk failed to appear, a similar order was sent to the bishop. If
either clerk or layman again failed on the given day, he was exacted
' For. Proc, Tr. of Rec., No. 68, Roll 2d. prisonam de Norhamt'. Et Robertus Fynch
2 MS. ' Gilebertum.' fuit deliberatus per brenedomini regis. . . .
3 The vacancy was after the death of Et Petrus de Nohers liberatus fuit magistro
Robert Grossetete on 9 October 1253. Willelmo de Lyndesy atornato episcopi
■* Another example occurs in the rolls of Line' ad clericos capiendos eo quod clericus
the Northampton eyre of 1255 : fuit ; ideo preceptum est uicecomiti quod
' Presentatum est et conuictum per fores- uenire faciat magistrum et decanum etc.
tarios et uiridarios quod die sancti Thome Postea uenit Petrus de Nohers et finem
apostoli anno tricesimo primo Petrus de fecit per duas marcas.' {For. Proc, Tr. of
Nohers et [Robertus] Fynch de Clyue Rcc, No. 68, Roll 1.)
capti fuerunt cum arcubus et sagittis in ^ For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, N'o. 132.
Firma de Nassincton' ; et missi fuerunt ad
THE CLERGY xcui
in the county court ; and if he did not then come he was outlawed.
But in the fourteenth century, if either clerk or layman failed to
ajipear at the eyre on the first day, he was forthwith exacted in the
county court without any second day being given to him. It is for
this reason that we find no entries of mandates being sent to the
bishop on the eyre rolls of the reign of Edward III.
Again the mere absence of entries on the eyre rolls recording the
delivery of clerks to the attorneys of the bishoj) is not proof that such
delivery no longer took place. In many of the eyre rolls of the reign
of Henry III., there are no such entries ; yet we know that the bishops
used to appoint attorneys, whose business it was to attend the eyre
and demand the delivery of clerks convicted of trespasses against the
forest laws. There was, in general, no special object for enrolling
the delivery, and in spite of the silence of the rolls, the practice may
have continued.
VII.
THE EXTENT OF THE FORESTS.
On 6 November 1217, the infant king Henry III. was made to
issue the Charter ' of the Forest, which contained the following two
chapters respecting the boundaries of the forests :
Inprimis omnes foreste quas Henricus rex auus noster afforestauit
uideantur per bones et legales homines ; et si boscum aliquem alium quam
suum dominiciim afforestauerit ad dampnum illius cuius boscus fuerit,
deafforestentur. Et si boscum suum proprium afforestauerit, remaneat
foresta, salua communa de herbagio et aliis in eadem foresta illis qui earn
prius habere consueuerunt.
Omnes autem bosci qui fuerunt afforestati per regem Ricardum auun-
culum nostrum, uel per regem lohannem patrem nostrum usque ad primam
coronationem nostram, statim deafforestentur nisi fuerit dominicus boscua
noster.
The language of the Charter is notable. A forest was a district
which might include both woods and open country ; yet it was only
woods which were to be disafforested. Perhaps in some cases the
kings had afforested woods in the neighbourhood of their forests but
had allowed the open country which surrounded them to remain
exempt or partially '' exempt from the forest laws. It is probable, how-
' A facsimile of the charter will be found ' It should be noticed that the justices
in Statutes of the Reahn, i. p. 20. who were appointed to inquire into the
f
XCIV INTRODUCTION
ever, that the word ' boscus ' was not intended to be construed literally,
but was used loosely of districts which were assumed to be for the
most part wooded. Again, the woods which Henry II. had afforested
were only to be disafforested when they had been afforested to the
damage of their owners. A qualification so vague as this was open
to very different interpretations by the king and the owners of the
woods. But more significant than the language of the Charter were
the actual conditions under which the disafforestments were to be
made. The woods which king Henry II. had afforested were to be
viewed by good and loyal men, and there was to be no disafforest-
ment until they had been viewed ; but the woods which king Eichard
or king John had afforested were to be forthwith disafforested and
no view of them was necessary.
Pursuant to the Charter letters patent^ were issued on 24 July
1218, directing perambulations of the forest to be made by twelve
knights, elected for the purpose, by view of John Marshall, who was
then justice of the forest. A few of the perambulations still exist,
the following^ being one of them :
Hec est perambulacio ^ foreste facta in comitatu Eotelandie die ^ sancti
lacobi apostoli amio regni regis Henrici tercii secundo coram lohanne
Marresscair, tunc iusticiario ^ foreste, Willelmo de Auben', Hugone de Nevill'
et aliis fidelibus domini regis per Alanum Basset, Mattheum filium Thome,
Robertum Luuet, Radulfum Tailbard, Andream de Keten', Ricardum
Alebast', Bartholomeum de Piltun, Simonem Lesquier, Hugonem filium
Simonis, Ricardum filium Reginald!, Robertum de Colestun', Ricardum
filium Rogeri, scilicet, qui predicti iurati dicunt quod Henricus rex auus
domini regis Henrici tercii post primam coronacionera suam afi'orestauit
quasdam partes de Roteland' uersus Stanfort inter Weland' et aquam que
currit inter Burle et Egiltun' et descendit per medium parcum de Bernardish'
usque ad pontem de Magna Caterstun', scilicet, a quodam chimino qui diri-
gitur per metas et bundas subscriptas, scilicet, a quodam uado de Litilhe sub
Kaldechot per medium Kaldechot ; et deinde per medium Lidingtun' ....
boundaries of the forests in December 1219 * For. Proc, Anc. Chanc, No. 8.
were directed to inquire what woods had ' This perambulation should be com-
been put within the regard by king John, pared with the one made in 9 Hen. iii.
and what woods had been put in defense printed in Rot. Lift. Claus. ii. 208, and
by him. (See Rot. Litt. Claus. i. 434.) with the one made on 7 December 1299,
This direction points to the king having printed on p. 116 below. The boundaries
partially afforested certain districts. By of the forest of Rutland as they were at the
putting woods within the regard, he pro- end of the reign of Hen. iii. are printed on
hibited wastes and essarts. By putting p. 53 below.
them in defense, he prohibited hunting in ^ Wednesday, 25 April 1218.
them. The expression ' to put in defense ' ' John Marshall was appointed justice
seems, however, sometimes to have denoted of the forest by letters patent dated
merely the exclusion of sheep and cattle 8 November 1217. (See Patent Roll,
from pasture. See pp. 47, 48 below. 17 m. 9.) At this time there was only
' Patent Roll 18, m. 2. They are printed one justice of the forest for all England,
in Rymeri Foedera, vol. i. part i. p. 151.
THE EXTENT OF THE FORESTS XCV
extendit se contra collem de Bidisbroc usque ad qnandam antiquam fossatam
inter Bidisbroc et Uppinha' et descendit in occidente de Childeslund' usque
in uallem inter Prestun' et Wenge ; et ab illo ualle usque ad uiridem
keminum inter Martinestorp' et Manetun' usque ad pontem sub Manetun' ;
et deinde per uallem sub Gunetorp' usque per ^ unum caput de Egiltun'
uersus australeni ; et deinde usque ad quendam uaduni in predicta aqua
currente inter Burle et Egoluestun', qui uadus appellatur Thuiford. Et in
Iniius rei ueritate predicti milites sigilla sua apposuerunt in testimonium.
The Charter of the Forest had been issued in the name of the
king, but with the seals of Gualo the papal legate and William
Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, the king himself having had no seal
during the first two years of his reign. At the beginning of his third
regnal year, however, a seal was made for him with which all
letters patent and close, though attested by William Marshall ^ or
Hubert of Burgh, and not by the king, were sealed. At the same
time the council issued an ordinance,^ declaring that no grants in
perpetuity should be made by the king until he was of full age. In
spite of this ordinance * the Charter of the Forest, which was a grant
in perpetuity, was not revoked. There can be no doubt on this
point, for on 22 April 1219 letters patent ^ were issued to Peter de
Maullay directing him to make a perambulation between the parts of
the counties of Somerset and Dorset which ought to be disafforested
and the parts which ought to remain forest. Similar letters patent '^
were issued on 1 May of the same year with respect to perambula-
tions in the counties of Nottingham and Derby ; and again ^ on 20
July, with respect to the county of Huntingdon.* In all these letters
patent there is a clause directing the perambulation to be sent to the
' This and the following word are written ' Homines de comitatu Huntind' debent
as ' per vnuin ' in the MS., the letters in quadraginta marcas pro deatTorestandis
italics representing contractions. ' Unum' forestis que deatforestari debent et separari
seems to be the correct reading for vnum, ab hiis que permanebunt foreste secundum
but the letter ti might be read as an 71 or tenorem carte de libertatibus foreste.' (Pipe
even as a y. Rolls 63, Eoll 6.) ' Homines de Dorset et
- After the death of the Earl Marshal Sumerset .... centum libras pro per-
in May 1219, letters patent and close were ambulacione facienda inter partes illas in
usually attested by Hubert of Burgh. comitatibus de Dorset' et Sumerset' que
^ It is printed in Ryvieri Foedera, vol. i. deaforestande sunt et illas que remanebunt
part i. p. 152. secundum tenorem carte regis de libertatibus
•* The ordinance against grants in per- foreste et pro metis et terminis ponendis
petuity was strictly observed. In a few cases inter utrasque partes illas et pro deafores-
markets and fairs were granted, but the tatione parcium illarum que deafforestande
grants were only to remain in force until sunt sicut predictum est secundum metas
the king attained his majority. {Eot. Litt. et terminos predictos.' (Pipe Rolls 63,
Claims, i. 463.) ' Patent Roll 19, m. 4. Roll 14 d.)
" Ibid. m. 3. ' Ibid. There is a blank space on the roll after
* The following entries appear upon the the fifth word, namely, ' Sumerset,' in the
Great Roll of the Pipe of the year 3 above passage.
Hen. iii. :
f 2
XCVl INTRODUCTION
king, ' in order that afterwards thereof might be enacted that which
it might seem fitting to om' council to do.'
It is a matter of doubt whether perambulations were made in the
years 1218 and 1219 in all those counties in which there were forests.
But if they were made, they seem to have been considered unsatis-
factory. For in December 1219 seven sets of justices were appointed ^
to inquire in seven groups of counties respectively what forests ought
to be disafforested. The letters sent to the justices were compre-
hensive, and differed in form and substance from those by which
justices were appointed in subsequent perambulations. They began
as follows :
Eex Sarr' episcopo salutem. Sciatig quod constitiiimiig uos una cum
uenerabili patre I. Baton' episcopo et dilectis et fidelibus nostris comite
Barr' nel illo quem idem comes loco suo ad hoc posuerit et Willelmo Briwer'
et Willelmo de Neuill' ad inquisicionem faciendam in comitibus Dors' et
Sumers' et Wiltesir' que foreste afforestate fuerunt per dominum I. regem
patrem nostrum et qui bosci positi fuerunt per eundem imfra regardum et
prius fuerunt extra regardum et similiter qui bosci positi fuerunt per eundera
in defensum ; et quas forestas uicecomites et castellani et alii bailliui nostri
tenent preter forestas quas forestarii de feodo tenent ; et que foreste
afforestate fuerunt per Henricum regem auum nostrum tempore Alani de
Neuiir uel tempore aliorum forestariorum suorum de uoluntate ipsius regis
uel de uoluntate aliorum forestariorum suorum.
The letters then directed the justices to disafforest forthwith the
forests which they should find to have been afforested by King John ;
to put out of the regard the woods which had formerly been out of the
regard ; and to put out of defense the woods which had formerly been
out of defense ; to seize all the forests which the sheriffs, castellans
and other baiHffs held (but not the forests held by foresters in fee),
and deliver the forests so seized in each county to two knights and a
clerk of the county, to hold until further orders, and to report their
finding about the forests which had been afforested by Henry II. or
his foresters to Hubert of Burgh and the king's council, in order that
the forests might be disafforested if the report were satisfactory. It is
probable that the justices disafforested certain districts which had
been afforested by king John, and that the council was dissatisfied
' The letters close, which were dated Leicester; (5) York, Cumberland and
13 December 1219, were enrolled on the Northumberland ; (6) Salop, Stafford,
close roll. (See Rot. Lift. Claus. i. 4M-b.) Worcester and Hereford; (7) Gloucester.
The seven groups of counties were: (1) Dorset, It will be observed that no justices were
Somerset and Wiltshire; (2) Hampshire, appointed for the county of Essex, in which
Surrey and Berkshire ; (3) Oxford and there was a forest. In most of the other
Buckingham ; (4) Nottingham and Derby, counties for which no justices were ap-
Northampton, Huntingdon, Kutland and pointed here were no forests.
THE EXTENT OF THE FORESTS XCVll
with the report concerning the forests which had been afforested by-
Henry II. or his foresters. There is certainly no entry on the Patent
or Close Eolls directing a disafforestment in consequence of the report
of the justices. But the absence of such a direction is not conclusive
evidence that no disafforestment took place.
On 10 December 1223, the attestation of letters patent and
close by Hubert of Burgh ceased and henceforth they are attested
by the king himself. But the ordinance in restraint of grants in
perpetuity remained in force, the king being still an infant.
On 30 October 1224, Hugh de Neville, the justice ^ of the forest,
was directed ^ to cause the forest to be kept and the regards to be made
as in the reign of king John before the war between him and his
barons. This direction is recorded on the patent rolls without any
introductory or explanatory statement ; but it certainly does not
amount to a revocation of the Charter of the Forest, as it only affects
two of its chapters. On 11 February, in the following year the
Charter was again issued without any alteration in its provisions ;
but it is expressed to be made ' spontanea et bona uoluntate nostra,'
and concludes with a statement that it was granted in return for a
fifteenth of all movables, and that neither the king nor his heirs would
purchase anything by which the liberties contained in the charter
should be infringed, and that if he should purchase any such thing it
should be reckoned as null.
On 16 February 1225, being five days only after the second issue
of the Charter, justices ^ were appointed^ to make perambulations in
accordance with its provisions ; and on the same day the sheriff of
York was directed to cause its observance in his bailiwick. Woods,
however, were not to be felled or venison taken on account of the
perambulation until it had been made and presented to the king
and he had given such orders as should seem good to him and
his council. Similar directions were sent on the same day to the
' Hugh de Neville was appointed justice more knights were associated to the justices.
of the forest by letters patent dated '2'J April On the same day three other justices were
1224. (See Patent KoU 31, m. 8.) appointed to make perambulations in the
^ Patent KoU 32, m. 9 ; Rot. Litt. Claus. counties of Worcester, Stafford, Salop and
ii. 1. Warwick; and also two justices in each of
' Hugh de Neville, Brian de I'lsle and the following counties : Lancaster, Surrey
Henry of Cerne were appointed by letters and Huntingdon. The appointment of the
patent dated 16 February 1224 justices to justices in Surrey was afterwards revoked
make perambulations in the following and Hugh de Neville, Brian de ITsle and
counties : Somerset, Dorset, Northampton, Henry of Cerne were appointed for Essex.
Leicester, Butland, Nottingham and Derby, Surrey and Sussex. (See Patent Boll '62
York, Oxford, Northumberland, Cumber- a, mm. 6, 5 in dorso.)
land, Buckingham, Hampshire, Wiltshire ■* Rot. Litt. Claus. ii. 70.
and Berkshire. In each county two or
XCVIU INTRODUCTION
sheriff of Northumberland, and on 1 May 1225 to the sheriff of Rut-
land.^ It is probable that they were also sent at different dates to
the sheriffs of other counties in which there were forests. On 8 May
in the same year the justices were directed^ to cause the Charter of
the Forest to be observed in the different counties according to the
perambulations which they had already made. In the counties in
which perambulations ^ had not yet been made, it was to be observed
according to the perambulations as soon as they were made. In the
case of Eutland a special mandate '' was sent to the jastice of the forest
on 5 August ordering him to observe the perambulation just as it had
been made, but to retain in the king's hands his demesne woods of
Oakham and Pddlington.
Although the Charter was made in the name and under the seal
of the king, he was still an infant, and the ordinance in restraint
of perpetuity had not been revoked. Early in January 1227 the
king declared ^ that he was of full age.*^ On the 22nd of that month
he made '^ his first grant in perpetuity, having on the previous
day proclaimed by letters addressed to the sheriffs, that he would
cause charters and confirmations to be made under his seal, and
ordered that all who had or claimed to have lands, tenements or
liberties by the gift or grant and confirmation of his antecessors
should come forthwith to show by what warrant they claimed them.
He also proclaimed in the same letters that all who wished to pur-
chase charters or confirmations of lands, tenements, markets,
liberties or anything whatever should come to him for that purpose.
For some months the clerks in the chancery were exceptionally busy.
New charters were granted, and old ones were confirmed. Every
grant raised a question of expediency, and every confirmation one of
validity. It was a time of inquiry into the king's rights and property.
It is not surprising that the young king on attaining his political
majority, challenged ^ some of the disafforestments which had been
' Ibid. p. 72. 2 Ibid. p. 73. ' Charter EoU 18, m. 36.
=* A few of the perambulations are re- ' It is clear, however, that even before
corded upon the Close Rolls: namely, the king had declared his majority it had
Surrey {Bot. Litt. Claus. ii. 56), Sussex been decided that there should be a re-
(ibid. 80), Leicestershire (ibid. 207), Netting- vision of the perambulations. On 27 Sep-
hamshire and Rutland (ibid. 208), Hun- tember 1226 the abbot of Abingdon and
tingdon (ibid. 209). seven other persons were ordered to bring
' Ibid. p. 80. before the king the charters of the king's
* Rot. Lift. Claus. ii. 207. predecessors under which they claimed
•> The attestations of letters patent and liberties in the forest and the disalforested
close show that the king was at Oxford on districts. On 26 October the perambula-
8, 9, 10 January 122y. According to the tions of certain forests were temporarily
Annals of Worcester, he declared that the revoked. (Rot. Litt. Claus. ii. 156. See
was of full age on 9 January. (Annales also the letters close of 22 June 1226,
Monastlci, Rolls Series, vol. iv. p. 419.) ibid. 153.)
THE EXTENT OF THE F01tEST3 xcix
made, pursuant to the Charter, during his infanc3\ Vast tracts of
land had been put out of the forest at a time when he had no power
to grant a market, a fair, or even an acre of land to a man and his
heirs. Disafforestment, resulting as it necessarily did in the loss of
fines, amercements and other profits, was from its very nature an act
of disinheritance. In many cases there was good reason for believing
that portions of the forest had been wrongly disafforested. But
instead of revoking * the Charter, the king took a more sagacious step,
which showed considerable political ability.
The king had declared that he was of full age when he was at
Oxford on 9 January 1227. On the day following, before he had
issued a single charter or proclaimed his majority to the sheriffs, he
directed ^ the sheriff of Shropshire to summon all the foresters in fee
in his bailiwick to come before the king, to show by what warrant they
held their offices. He also sent a similar direction concerning all per-
sons who before the making of the Charter had enjoyed any exemption
or liberty in the forest in his bailiwick. Finally he directed him to
cause the persons who had made the perambulation to come before
him to show why they had disafforested certain parts of the forest
which had been afforested before the coronation of Henry II., and
why they had disafforested certain of his demesne lands and woods.
Similar directions were sent on the same day to the sheriffs of
Eutland, Nottingham and Leicester, and on 8 February to the
sheriffs of Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxford and Huntingdon. No doubt
he expected that the foresters in fee and other persons summoned
would produce charters granted by the predecessors of Henry II.
capable of throwing light on the boundaries of the forest before the
coronation of that king. By their aid places might be shown to have
lain within the forest which had been put out of it by the disafforest-
ment of 1225.
On 9 February ^ the knights who had made the perambulations in
the counties of Leicester, Eutland and Huntingdon came before the
king and acknowledged that they had wrongly disafforested portions
of the forest which, owing to the civil war, had ceased to be forest
' There has been some misunderstand- Maiora, Eolls Series, vol. iii. p. 122) states
ing as to what the king did at this time. that the king quashed, were the i^erambu-
He dealt with the perambulations as stated lations which had been ratified by the
above, and he granted confirmations of king's seal during his minority. He had
charters granted by his predecessors, in made no charters during his minority,
return for which he, no doubt, received a except the Great Charter and the Forest
large sum of money. It was the usual Charter. There is no evidence that he
practice for the kings to grant confirma- quashed either of them,
tions of charters on accession. The ' char- ^ Eof. Litt. Claus. ii. 206.
ters ' which Mathew Paris {Chronica ' Ibid. ii. 169.
C INTRODUCTION
during the reign of Stephen, and had been reafforested by Henry II.
after his coronation. Accordingly he directed that the forests in
these three counties, should be kept as they were before the perambu-
lations had been made. About the same time the knights who had
made the perambulation in Nottinghamshire acknowledged that they
had wrongly disafforested two places and obtained leave to certify
themselves of their true boundaries. The king then directed that no
person having woods in those places should fell, sell or essart them,
until it had been determined what were the boundaries.^
On 13 August the king sent ^ letters close to seventeen of his sheriffs
consisting of an order relating to Magna Carta and directions relating
to the forest, similar in form to those which he had sent on 10 January
to the sheriff of Shropshire, On the same day he sent the order
relating to Magna Carta to the sheriff of Northumberland, and also to
the sheriffs of Nottingham and Derby. Warwick and Leicester, Piutland,
Cambridge and Huntingdon, Berkshire, Bedford and Buckingham.
After the enrolment of the names of these counties on the Close Eoll,
it is stated that although they are in the forest ^ they had not the long
form (meaning the letters close sent to the first seventeen sheriffs),
because they were quit, but they had the short form (meaning the
order relating to Magna Carta), together with the underwritten sheriffs,
namely those of Sussex,* Kent, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Thus the short form was sent to the sheriffs of the counties in
which there were no forests, and also to the sheriffs of the counties
which contained forests about the boundaries of which the king was
already satisfied. He had pardoned ^ the knights who had made the
perambulations in Eutland, Leicester, Huntingdon and Nottingham
by letters patent dated 9 February then last past. He had dis-
afforested ^ by a charter dated 10 May a portion of the county of
Berkshire, and the boundaries of the forest in that county were no
longer in question. It is not recorded that he had pardoned the
knights who had made the perambulations in the counties of Derby ,^
' On 20 April 1228 the knights %vho a sheriff in common with Huntingdonshire,
had made perambulations in the following and Bedfordshire had one in common with
counties were pardoned by the king for Buckinghamshire.
their errors : namely, Lancaster, Stafford, ■* Northumberland is mentioned on the
Salop, Worcester, Surrey and Northamp- roll together with these five counties, but
ton. (Patent Eoll 36, m. 5.) The knights evidently by mistake. The order relating
who made the perambulation in Yorkshire to Magna Carta was sent to its sheriff, as
were pardoned on 31 October 1228. (Patent stated in the roll, who was quit. The forest
Eoll 37, m. 12.) in Northumberland was disafforested in
2 Rot. Lilt. Claus. ii. 212. the reign of Ed. i. See p. cviii below.
' It should not be inferred from this * Patent Eoll 34, m. 8.
that there were forests in Cambridgeshire " Charter Eoll 18, m. 5.
and Bedfordshire. The former county had ' But see p. cviii, note 4, below.
THE EXTENT OF THE FORESTS CI
Buckingham and Warwick, but the explanation may well be that he
was not dissatisfied with their work.
In the course of the next two years the perambulations which had
been made in the remaining counties were examined. Where districts
had been wrongly disafforested they were reafforested. But the
king neither repudiated the Charter of the Forest nor annulled the
perambulations which had been made in his infancy. He merely
corrected ^ them, after due inquiry. Where Henry 11. had afforested
a district for the first time it was no longer allowed to remain in the
forest, but where he had reafforested what had been forest before the
civil wars of the reign of Stephen the perambulations were to that
extent set aside.
But although the revision of the perambulations was neither
unjust nor unreasonable, it was, as might be expected, unpopular.
People who had enjoyed complete immunity from the forest laws would
resent their reimposition, whether it was just or unjust. Among
the articles which formed the barons' petition in the year 1260 was
one which gave expression to the feeling of dissatisfaction.^
Item petunt remedium quod bosci et terre infra metas foreste non
existentes, qui per ambulacionem proborum hominum, et per quindecimam
partem omnium bonorum hominum Anglie domino regi datam deafforestati
fuerunt, per uoluntatem suam reafforestauit.
Nevertheless the barons did not succeed in obtaining redress for
this particular grievance. On several occasions during the reign of
Henry III. the Charter was confirmed, but the confirmations were
never followed by fresh perambulations and the boundaries of the
forest remained the same after the battle of Evesham as they were
before it. Nor was Edward I. wilHng that the boundaries of the
forest as settled by his father should be disturbed. It was only at the
end of his reign, under strong political pressure, that he consented
to the disafforestment of any portions of his forests. In March 1277
he had directed ^ Walter Scamel, and Mathew de Colombieres to cause
a perambulation to be made of the forests south of the Trent.
' Thus the concluding words of the dictus Henricus rex auus noster affores-
writ to the sheriff of Hampshire concerning tauit ; et firmiter prohiberi facias quod
the revision of the perambulations in that nuUus in eadem foresta de uiridi uel uena-
county are as follows : clone forisfaciat contra assisam foreste
_ ' Et ideo tibi precipimus quod sine dila- nostre, et quod arcus et sagitte brachetti ct
cione clamari facias per totam balliuam leporarii inde penitus amoueautur.' (Close
tuam quod foresta custodiatur per eosdem Eoll 38, m. 9 d.)
terminos et easdem metas per quas cus- " Annales Monastici, Burton, Bolls
todita fuit tempore I. regis patris nostri Series, p. 4'10.
ante gwerram motam inter ipsura et barones ^ For. Proc, Anc. Chanc, No. 101.
suos Anglie exceptis partibus predictis quas
Cll INTRODUCTION
Edwardus dei gracia rex Anglie dominus Hibernie et dux Aquitanie
dilectis et fidelibus suis magistro W. Scamel, decano Sarr', et M. de
Coluinbar' salutem. Quia uolumus quod carta nostra de foresta in omnibus
et singulis articulis suis inuiolabiliter obseruetur secundum quod nuper in
consilio nostro apud Westmonasterium puplicari fecimus, assignauimus uos
ad eligendum duodecim de discrecioribus et legalioribus tam militibus quam
aliis probis bominibus de singulis comitatibus subscriptis, scilicet, de
comitatu Eoteland', Northampton, Salop, Stafford, Berk', Oxon', AVygorn',
Herford', Gloucester, Wilt', Dors', Som', Sutbt', Surr', Sussex, Huntyndon',
Buk', et Essex ut conuocatis militibus et probis bominibus predictis necnon
forestariis et uiridariis forestarum eorundem comitatuum per uisum illorum
duodecim fiat peranibulacio recta ilia scilicet que facta fuit tempore domini
Henrici regis patris nostri que nondum calumpniata fuit et ut alii articuli in
eadem carta contenti compleantur, Et ideo uobis mandamus quod ad dies et
loca, que ad hoc prouideritis, et uicecomitibus nostris comitatuum predictorum
scire feceritis, premissa faciatis in forma predicta. Mandauimus eciam eisdem
uicecomitibus nostris quod ad eosdem dies et loca uenire faciant coram
uobis omnes milites comitatuum predictorum et quosdam alios probos et
legales homines de eisdem comitatibus ad hoc sufficientes. Et ipsi uicecomites
ibidem uobis occurrant ad premissa, sicut predictum est perficienda ita quod
perambulacio ilia fiat et alii articuli in eadem carta contenti perficiantur
iuxta tenorem carte supradicte et secundum quod uos eisdem uicecomitibus
scire facietis ex parte nostra ita tamen quod nichil demandetur execucioni
donee de ipso distincte et aperte et absque calumpnia facta et nobis sub
sigillis uestris et sigillis dictorum militum presentata, preceperimus fieri
quod de consilio nostro prouiderimus faciendum. In cuius rei testimonium
has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Dunstapl'
primo die Marcii anno regni nostri quinto.
Pursuant to these letters patent perambulations were made and
complaints presented against the violation of the charter by the forest
officers. A few returns have survived which show that the people
suffered from unlawful exactions and hoped for a curtailment of the
districts over which the}^ could be practised. But it should not be
assumed that the findings of the jurors were in all cases historically
correct. More than fifty years had elapsed since the second issue of
the charter ; more than a century since the first coronation of
Henry II. Intervals such as these were sufficiently long for tradition
to develop according to the wishes and the interests of the people.
The Somerset jurors recorded the boundaries of their forests, and
then added ^ that, with those exceptions, all Somerset was and ought
' ' Exceptis Eupradictis forestis tota per regem lohannem, quando afforestauit
Somerseta est extra forestam et debet esse, totam Angliara. Et postea deafforestata
set aliquo tempore fuit afforestata, scilicet, fuit per regem Henricum filium suum.'
post primam coronacionem Henrici regis {For. Proc, Anc. Chanc, No. 101.)
aui domini regis Henrici filii regis lohannis
I
1
THE EXTENT OF THE FORESTS Clll
to be outside the forest ; but it was sometime afforested, to wit, after
the first coronation of king Henry the grandfather of king Henry
the son of king John, by king John when he afforested all England ;
and it was afterwards disafforested by king Henry his son. King
John certainly prohibited ^ fowling throughout England ; he may
also have prohibited hunting in some counties ; but there is no
evidence that he ever afforested his whole kingdom.
In the autumn of the year 1297 Edward I. confirmed ^ the Charter
of the Forest. On 16 October in the same year, six justices
were sent ^ to make perambulations of the forests both north and
south of the Trent ; two being assigned to each of three groups of
counties. The letters patent, by which they were appointed, closely
resembled those by which Walter Scamel and Mathew de Colombieres
had been appointed in 1277, the word ' perambulacio ' being again
qualified by ' scilicet, que facta tempore domini Henrici regis patris
nostri que nondum calumpniata fuit.' In the next month, however,
these letters patent were revoked ^ and others issued, by which eight
justices were appointed to make perambulations, two being assigned
to each of four ^ groups of counties. In the new letters patent the
word ' perambulacio ' was not qualified as it had been before. Peram-
bulations seem to have been made by the justices shortly afterwards,
though perhaps not in all counties. An ofticial record of the peram-
bulations^ made in Hampshire is preserved at the Public Eecord
Office and the perambulations^ which were made in Somerset are
recorded in a register of Wells Cathedral. Others may yet be found
in monastic and private chartularies.
As the boundaries of the forests had been settled with great care
in the early years of the reign of Henry III., there was no reason why
they should again be changed. In spite, therefore, of the confirma-
tion of the charter and the resulting perambulations, the forests were
not reduced in size. But in the autumn of the year 1298 the king
' ' Anno domini MCCIX rex Anglorum (3) Gloucester, Worcester, Hereford, Salop,
lohannes ad natale Domini fuit apud Bris- Stafford, Somerset and Dorset ; (4) Not-
tollum et ibi capturam auium per totam tingham, Derby, York, Lancaster, West-
Anglie interdixit.' (Chronica Eogcri de moreland, and Cumberland. The appoint-
Wcndovcr, EoUs Series, ii. 49.) ment of justices in the second of these
^ By letters patent (inspecting the char- groups was afterwards revoked, and two
ter) dated 12 October 1297. See Statutes other justices were appointed in their place
of the Realm, i. 120. by letters patent dated 8 February 1298.
2 Patent Roll 116, m. 3. Patent Roll 117, m. 27; Parliamentary
* Patent Roll 117, m. 32 ; Parliamentary Writs, i. p. 397.
MVi^s, i. 396. ^ Duchy of Lancaster, For. Proc, Bundle
^ The four groups were : (1) Essex, 1, No. 8.
Huntingdon, Northampton, Rutland, ' They are printed in Collinson's Hisiory
Surrey and Sussex ; (2) Oxford, Berkshire, of Somerset, iii. 56.
Buckingham, Hampshire and Wiltshire ;
CIV INTEODUCTION
appointed commissioners ^ to go through all the counties of England to
inquire into the misdeeds of the forest officers and of those who were
in arrear in making the perambulations. From this it seems that
the forest charter was to be enforced as far as it related to the
oppression of the inhabitants, and that the king intended the
boundaries, such as they were, to be respected by the foresters.
In April 1299 a new statute,^ the ' Statutum de Finibus Leuatis,'
was enacted which incorporated all the Charter of the Forest, except
the first five articles. Although the articles in the Charter which
relate to disafforestment were omitted from the statute, there is a.
clause in it which declares that the king was willing that a perambu-
lation should be made ' saving always his oath, the right of his crown,
and his exceptions and challenges, and those of other persons ' but
* so that such perambulation be reported to him before any execution
or anything else be done thereupon.' Five justices,^ all of whom were
judges of great experience, were directed,* by letters patent dated
23 September, to make perambulations of the forests north and south
of the Trent. Perambulations -^ were made by these justices in five
counties, namely, Northampton, Huntingdon, Paitland, Oxford and
Surrey. It is probable, however, that they performed their work too
slowly to satisfy anybody ; for on 1 April 1300 the king again directed '^
perambulations to be made, this time by six sets of justices each in a
particular group ^ of counties. The letters patent by which they were
appointed contained reservations similar to those in the Statute of
Fines, concerning the king's rights and the execution of the peram-
bulations. In most of the forests the jurors paid no attention to the
settlement of the boundaries made at the beginning of the reign of
Henry III. They put out of the forest vast tracts of land which had
been forest for a century and a half, alleging that they had been
' They were appointed by letters patent and Derby; (2) Essex, Buckingham, Oxford;
dated 18 November 1298. (See Patent EoU (3) Somerset, Dorset, and Devon; (4) Hamp-
117, m. 1.) The writ of summons for the shire and Wiltshire; (5) Nottingham, York
inquiry is printed in Parliamentary Writs, and Cumberland ; (6) Gloucester, Hereford,
i. 397. Worcester and Warwick. It will be ob-
^ Sfattttcs of tlie Realm, i. 126. served that, with the exception of Oxford,
' They were Eoger Brabancon, John of none of the five counties in which peram-
Berwick, Ealph of Hingham, William Inge bulations are known to have been made
and John of Croxley. pursuant to the letters patent of 23 Sep-
'' Patent Eoll 118, m. 9. tember 1299 are included in the above six
^ The perambulation in Eutland is groups. It is probable that no perambula-
printed on p. 116 below ; that in Surrey on tion was made in Oxfordshire pursuant to
p. 117 below ; those in Northampton, the letters patent of 1 April 1300, as the
Huntingdon and Oxford are recorded on disafforestment of 14 Feb. 1301 was based
For. Proc. Anc. Chanc, No. 102. upon a perambulation made on the 22
" Patent Roll 119, m. 19 ; Parliamentary February li^; 'g pursuant to the letters patent
Myits, i. 397. of 23 s'epteniber 1299. (See For. Proc,
' The six groups were: (1) Salop, Stafford Anc. Chanc, No. 102.)
THE EXTENT OF THE FORESTS CV
afforested by Henry II. or his sons Bichard and John, and disregard-
mg the distinction between districts which had been afforested for the
first time and those which had been reafforested as ancient forest by
Henry II. When they were asked what were their means of know-
ledge, they declared ' that they knew from the tales of their ancestors
and the common talk of the country.
On 25 September 1300 the king directed - the justices before
whom the recent perambulations had been made to attend a parlia-
ment which was to be held at Lincoln on 25 January of the following
year with a view to considering what they had done ; and a day later
the sheriffs were ordered to cause all who had lands and tenements
within the forest and who wished to challenge anything in the
perambulations to come to the parliament and show their reasons.
The justices of the forest north and south of the Trent were also
ordered to cause the attendance of the foresters in fee, no doubt for
the same reason as that for which they had been summoned in the
reign of Henry III, On 14 February the king confirmed the Charter
of the Forest and issued letters patent ^ disafforesting all districts
which lay outside the boundaries found in the recent perambulations.
The disafforestments made at the Parliament of Lincoln were not
final. They had been extorted from the king under political pressure ;
there is good reason for supposing that they infringed his rights. It
is not surprismg, therefore, that he applied to his lord the pope for
relief. On 29 December 1305 Clement V. revoked,'' annulled, and
quashed the grants which the king had made, and shortly after-
wards the king ■' himself revoked and annulled his own grants and dis-
afforestments.
' See p. 121 below. Parliament of Lincoln. The fifth chapter
^ Close Roll 122, m. 2 in dorso ; Par- of the Statute of the year 1306, known
limnentarij Writs, i. 88. as ' Ordinatio Foreste,' begins as follows :
^ The letters patent of disafforestment ' Quoad illos uero, qui tempore quo foresta
incorporate the perambulations upon which deafforestata fuit, transgressiones de uiridi
they are based. They are recorded upon aut venacione in foresta -fecerunt, quia
i\\e xoW For. Proc, Anc.Chanc, No. 102, a.i deafforestacionem eandem et ut sentencia
the Eecord OfSce. The letters patent dis- excommunicacionis in contrauenientes ful-
afforesting portions of Huntingdon, North- minaretur quamquam de nostra bona
ampton, Rutland and Oxford recite per- uoluntateminime processisset,concessimus,
ambulations made pursuant to the letters quam quidem sentenciam dominus summus
patent of 23 September 1299. Those dis- pontifex postmodum reuocauit, et quas
afforesting portions of the forest in other concessionem et deafforestacionem ex certis
counties recite the perambulations made causis reuoeamus et eciam adnullamus,
pursuant to the letters patent of 1 April uolumus quod transgressiones huiusmodi
1300. perdonentur, transgressionibus illis esceptis,
'' The bull is printed in Foedera Rynieri, que in ea parte que foresta remansit com-
vol. i. part i. p. 978. misse fuerunt.' {Statutes of the Realm,
* It is clear tliat the king revoked the i. 149.)
disafforestments which he granted at the
CVl INTRODUCTION
But the boundaries which had been settled in the ParHament of Lin-
coln were not easily set aside in this way. Edward II. was compelled to
consent to the disafforestments which his father Edward I, had allowed
but afterwards revoked. His son Edward HI. was made ^ to grant that
the Charter of the Forest should be kept in every article ; that the
perambulations which were ridden in the time of king Edward his
grandfather should be kept in the form in which they were then ridden
and bounded ; that thereupon a charter should be made to every shire
where it was ridden ; and that in such places where it was not ridden, it
should be ridden by good men and lawful, and a charter thereupon made
as is above stated. The case of Surrey was exceptional. There had been
no disafforestment in this county, because the jurors of the perambula-
tion made on 5 March 1300 in pursuance of the letters patent of 27
September 1299 had found ^ that no part of the forest ought to be
disafforested, and therefore no perambulation was made pursuant to
the letters patent of 1 April 1300. Accordingly the men of Surrey,
alleging that there had been no perambulation in the time of Edward I.
demanded that one should be made pursuant to the grant of Edward
III. Letters patent were issued ; a perambulation was made ; and the
whole county of Surrey was found to lie outside the forest. The king
formally disafforested^ the county on 26 December 1327. Six years
later he ordered * that the forest should be kept by the same boundaries
as in the time of the late king, notwithstanding the grant which he
had made in the first year of his reign, as he understood from divers
inquisitions taken in the time of his progenitors and from other
memoranda in the exchequer that divers woods and open spaces in
the county of Surrey ought to be afforested.
The perambulations made at the end of the reign of Edward I. are
of great value in so far as they show what the boundaries of the forest
were during the fourteenth and subsequent centuries. But except in
a few cases they do not assist in determining the boundaries of the
thirteenth century. In order to obtain information on this point, the
metes and bounds which are occasionally recorded on the eyre rolls ^
of the reigns of Henry III. and Edward I. must be consulted. But on
the rolls of some forests they are not recorded, and in such cases the
' By statute ii. of 1 Ed. iii. See Statutes rolls of the year 1269 (see p. 53 below) ;
o/ the Realm, i. 255. those of Surrey on the eyre rolls of the
'^ See pp. 117, 118 below. year 1270 (see p. 61 below). It is probable
* Patent Roll 168, m. 3. that the metes and bounds recorded on the
* On 4 August 1333. See Close Roll 160, eyre rolls were merely the presentments of
m. 3. the forest officers and not the record of a
* Thus the metes and bounds of the perambulation specially made at the time
forest of Rutland are set out on the eyre of the eyre.
THE EXTENT OF THE FORESTS Cvii
boundaries can only be ascertained by collecting the names of all
places mentioned in the rolls as lying within the forest.
Until the boundaries of the different forests have been carefully
ascertained it will be impossible to state even approximately how
much of the kingdom was forest in the thirteenth century. In some
counties there were no forests. Among the writs by which the
Parliament of Lincoln of 1300 was summoned was one ' which was
addressed to the sheriffs of the counties in which there were forests.
It is followed on the roll of letters close by a writ ^ to the sheriff
of Lincoln and a statement that in the same manner an order was
sent to the sheriffs of the counties in which there were no forests —
namely, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, Bedford, Kent, Sussex, Middle-
sex, Leicester, Northumberland, Cornwall, Lancaster, and Hertford.
In some of these counties there had been forests which in the year
1300 were forests no longer. By a charter dated 3 May 1204 king
John disafforested ^ the marsh appurtenant to four towns in Lin-
colnshire— namely, Surfleet, Gosberchurch, Quadring and Doning-
ton — so that it is evident that there was a forest in that county
at the beginning of the thirteenth century.^ The same king, by a
charter dated 22 March in the same year disafforested ^ all the
county of Cornwall, except two moors and two groves, which he
disafforested later in his reign. He also disafforested by a charter ^
dated 18 May 1204 all the county of Devon, except Dartmoor and
Exmoor. On 10 October 1239 Henry III. granted ^ the forest of
Dartmoor to his brother Richard earl of Cornwall. A portion of the
forest of Exmoor ^ still remained in the county of Devon ; but with
this exception there was no forest in Devonshire after the year 1239.
A considerable portion of the county of Leicester was forest until
20 February 123f , when it was disafforested ^ by king Henry HI. in
accordance with the first chapter of the Charter of the Forest. In
• Close Roll 122, m. 2 in dorso ; Parlia- ' R. A. et W. T. ceperunt et occiderunt
mentarij Writs, i. 90 b. unum bouiculum cerui infra hundredum
- Parliamentarij Writs, i. 91 a. de Wytherugge infra regardum foreste pre-
' Rot. Chart, p. 128. dicte de Exemor', quod quidem regardura
* A letter in the usual form concerning unum est et se extendit tam infra comi-
a regard was sent to the sheriff of Lincoln tatum Somers' quam Deuon', die Lune
in February 1229. See Royal Letters, proxima post festum Omnium Sanctorum
Hen. Hi. Rolls Series, i. 346. anno predicto. . . . Et dicunt quod omnes
' Rotuli Chartarum, pp. 122, 206. ministri foreste predicte de comitatu
^ Rotuli Chartarum, p. 132. Somers' omnino, licet dictum regardum pro
' Charter Roll 83, m. 1. parte est in comitatu Deuon', se intro-
« The forest of Exmoor seems to have mittunt.' {For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, 309,
extended into Devonshire in the reign of Skin 10.)
Ed. iii. At an inquisition held at Wells ^ Charter Roll 29, m. 15.
on 2 July 1366 it was found as follows ;
Cviii INTRODUCTION
Northumberland there was an extensive forest until the year 1280,
when Edward I. disafforested ' it in return for an annual rent of forty
pounds. In Lancashire there was no royal forest in the reign of
Edward L, because the king had granted the honour of Lancaster to
his brother Edmund Crouchback, who was allowed to enforce the
forest laws over the forests which it contained. It is also evident that
there was a forest in Sussex at the beginning of the thirteenth century,
for a perambulation - of it is recorded on the roll of letters close of
9 Henry III.
On the other hand, it is almost certain that none of the kings
of England possessed any forests in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk
and Kent. There are no appointments of wardens and no grants
of privileges which suggest the existence of any such forest ; there
are no records of a forest eyre, and no letters patent appointing
justices for an eyre in any of these counties ; nor are there any
corresponding entries of fines and amercements for offences against
the forest law on the Great Eolls of the Exchequer. For similar
reasons it may be considered as probable that there were either
no forests in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire, or
forests of a small extent only. But there is more occasion for doubt
about these three counties than about Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent.
Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire had a common sheriff, and
they are treated as a single county on the Great Piolls of the
Exchequer. It is therefore possible that some of the fines and
amercements there recorded for forest trespasses relate to Cambridge-
shire, and not to Huntingdonshire, in which there was undoubtedly
a forest. The same difficulty occurs with respect to Bedfordshire,
which had a sheriff in common with Buckinghamshire, and with
respect to Hertfordshire, which had one in common with Essex. In
Middlesex there was at one time a warren at Staines, which was
also subject to the forest laws. This is evident from a charter of
18 August 1227, by which Henry III. disafforested ^ the warren and
declared it free from all that pertained to forest and forester. With
this exception there was certainly no forest in Middlesex in the
thirteenth, and probably none in the twelfth century.
In all the other counties ^* there were forests varying considerably
in size. Those which were most frequented by the kings were
• Charter Roll 74, m. 10, entry 76. Londojiiensis, Bolls Series, vol.ii.pt. i. p. 44.
« Rot. Litt. Claus. ii. 80 b. * The history of the forest in Derby-
^ Charter Roll 19, m. 5. The charter shire deserves special study. It cannot
is printed in full in Miinimenta Gildhalle be adequately treated in this volume.
THE EXTENT OF THE FORESTS CIX
probably the best stocked with venison and the most suited for
hunting. King John, when in England, spent much of his time in
visiting the forests of Sherwood, Rockingham, Essex and Clarendon ;
and it was from these that Henry III. usually made presents of deer
to his friends.
VIII.
THE CHASE. THE PARK AND THE WARREN.
Chases.
There were certain districts, such as the chases of Dartmoor,
Malvern and Cranbourne, in which the beasts of the forests were
preserved, but which were nevertheless not subject to the whole body
of the forest laws. Some of them, such as Dartmoor, had once been
the property of the Crown, and had then been forests in every sense
of the word. When, however, they passed by royal grant into the
hands of subjects, they were considered to have lost many of the
incidents of a forest. Others, again, such as Cranbourne chase, seem
to have acquired such incidents of a forest as they possessed by title
of prescription. From the early years of the reign of Edward I.
these districts were usually described ' in official documents as ' chases '
to distinguish them from the royal forests over which the whole body
of the forest law was enforced. The distinction was not rigidly
observed, and to this day we speak of various districts as forests,
although they passed out of the hands of the Crown long before the
accession of Edv/ard I.
It is impossible to describe with any accuracy the laws which
obtained in the chases or private forests of the thirteenth century.
As there is no series of records which is concerned with their
administration, all that can be learnt about the subject must be
derived from entries on the rolls of the courts of common law,
instruments recorded upon the rolls of the Chancery, inquisitions on
the deaths of tenants who happened to hold chases of the king in
chief, and a few sources of a similar nature.
When once the king had granted a forest to a subject, the juris-
diction of the justices of the forest ceased. Verderers were no longer
appointed by the king's writ, and there were no more sessions of
' In some letters patent of 1 September osa que nocatnr foresta pancti Lennardi.'
1295 the following words occur : (Patent Roll 113, la. 10 d.)
'Liberam chaciaui Willeluii de Brew-
ex INTRODrCTION
justices in eyre for pleas of the forest. Some of the king's rights
with respect to the preservation of the beasts of the forest and the
timber became vested in the new proprietor. The mere grant of the
forest effected no such disafforestment as to enable its inhabitants to
hunt and cut their timber at pleasure. In general, the restrictions
under which they had lived continued, and it was onl}^ the machinery
by which they were enforced that was altered.
The lord of a chase seems to have had the right of arresting
through his foresters all persons found trespassing against the venison,
and detaining them in prison until they made satisfaction, provided
that they were taken in the act, or, in legal language, provided that
they were taken ' with the mainour.' This at least was stated in a
case in one of the principal courts of common law in the reign of
Edward I, The enrolment of the proceedings is printed by Coke in
the fourth part of his ' Institutes of the Laws of England,' ' but
unfortunately owing to a wrong reference the original cannot be found.
Eicardus de Cornubia et nouem alii attacliiati fuerimt ad respondendum
lohanni de Sallaye quare ipsum ceperunt et in prisona detinueruut per
decern septimanas apud castrum de Knaresburgh' etc.
Eicardus et alii dicunt quod castrum et honor de Knaresburgh cum
foresta de Bestagne fuit aliquando in seisiua domini Henrici regis patris
domini regis nunc et eo tempore fuit talis consuetudo in foresta predicta
quod si quis indictatus iuerit per forestarios coram seneschallo eiusdem
honoris de transgressione de uei acione facta in eadem foresta idem senes-
challus tales transgressores ubicunque fuerint inuenti infra eandem liber-
tatem predict! honoris licite potest arrestare et imprisonare et eos in prisona
detinere quousque satisfecerint de transgressione etc. Qui rex Henricus
dedit predictum honorem cum foresta etc. Eicardo fratri sue comiti
Cornubie patri Edmundi comitis Cornubie qui toto tempore suo usus est
tali libertate arrestandi etc.
lohannes e contra dicit nullam talem fuisse consuetudmem arrestandi
malefactores nisi quando capti fuerunt cum manuopere et hoc ab antiquiore
tempore quia idem comes non habet ibidem forestam sed cbaceam tantum.
Et quod tempore Willelmi de Stoteuill' domini dicte chacee qui dedit regi
lohanni dictam chaceam et tempore dicti regis lohannis et tempore regis
Henrici patris dum dicta chacea fuit in manu sua nunquam arrestaueruut
aliquos de transgressione in chacea ilia nisi illos qui capti fuerunt cum
manuopere et hoc offert uevificare per patriam etc.
Ideo preceptum est uicecomiti quod summoneat predictum comitem etc.
Again, a similar right seems to have been exercised by the lord of
the free chase of Malvern, for in a memorandum,^ which is printed in
' Coke's Institutes, fourth part (ed. 17S7), - Nash's History of Worcestershire, vol. i.
p. 314. p. Ixxiiii.
THE CHASE, THE PARK AND THE WARREX cxi
Nash's * History of Worcestershire,' of the ' ancient hberties, royalty
and customs belonging to the lordship and franches of Handley and
unto the chase of Malvern ' the following article occurs :
Item, if any of the foresters find any person or persons hunting
within the said chase or bounds thereof or standing suspiciously, viz.
stable standing, with hounds drawing or bloody hands, the same forester
shall attach him or them, and bring them unto the castle of Handley, there
to remain prisoners in a place called Bandbury chamber, until they have
found sureties sufficient of their good harbouring against the game by
obhgation in c. shiUings to the lord's use, to be levied upon the forfeiture of
them or their surety.
Thus there was a considerable difference in procedure in royal
forests and private chases. In forests the trespassers were arrested
and detained in prison until they found pledges to appear at the
forest eyre, when they were again imprisoned until they paid ransom.
In chases, trespassers were merely detained in prison until they
satisfied the lord with respect to their offences ; and they could only
be detained when they were taken with the mainour. It is probable
that the measure of satisfaction to which the lord was entitled varied
in different chases, but it may be regarded as certain that he could
nowhere act arbitrarily. Any fine which he might exact would be
either limited in amount or subject to assessment in his court.
But there is at least one case in which the whole body of forest
laws was enforced over a private forest. On 28 June 1266,
Henry III. granted ' the castles, lands and tenements which had been
forfeited by Eobert, earl of Derby, to his own second son, Edmund,
commonly called Crouchback. On 30 June 1267, he granted ^ him
the honour, county, castle and town of Lancaster and all the king's
demesnes in the county of Lancaster, with the vaccaries and forests
of Wiresdale and Lonsdale, and the manor, castle and forest of
Pickering in Yorkshire. These two grants seem to have included
all the forests in the county of Lancaster, which had hitherto been
treated as forests in the strict sense of the word. . Henceforth,
however, they were intended to be held by Edmund, not as forests,
but as free chases. Accordingly when in 15 Edwiird I. a forest
eyre was held at Lancaster by three justices who had recently been
appointed to hold pleas '' of the forest in the counties north of the
Trent, those offences only were punished which had been committed
' Charter Eoll 78, m. 4, Entry 22. =" Bnchy of Lancaster Forest Proceed'wgs,
" Cliarter Roll fil. m. 4, and Charter Eoll Bundle l,\Vo. 7.
78, m. 4, Entry 23.
g2
CXll IXTnODUCTTOX
since the last eyve and before the grants of 12GG and 1207. The
justices were not concerned with anj'thing that happened in these
forests after they had passed out of the king's hands. This state of
things, however, did not continue long. On 25 May 1285, Edward I.
granted a privilege to his brother Edmund, which was not allowed to
other lords of chases. He permitted him to have justices to hold
pleas of the forest according to the assize of the forest in the forests
which he had by the grant of Henry III., as often as justices should
be sent to hold pleas in the king's forests. The words of the letters
patent ' are as follows :
Pro Edmundo fratre regis.
Eex omnibus ad quos etc., sabitem. Sciatis quod eoncessimus pro nobis
et heredibus nostris Edmundo fratri nostro karissimo quod ipse et heredes
sui imperpeiuum babeant ad requisicionem suam in cancellaria nostra et
beredum nostrorum regum Anglie certos iusticiarios per literas nostras et
heredum nostrorum predictorum ad placita forestarum, quas idem frater noster
babet ex dono domini Henrici regis patris nostri, secundum assisam foreste
teneuda quociens uos et heredes iusticiarios nostros ad buiusmodi placita in
forestis nostris tenenda iuxta consuetudinem regni nostri mittere contiugat ;
et quod imperpetuum babeant certos iusticiarios per litteras nostras et beredum
nostrorum, quociens opus fueiit ad transgressiones sibi factas in cbaceis uel
parcis suis audiendas et terminandas secundum legem et consuetudinem
regni nostri ; ita quod idem frater noster et beredes sui babeant redempciones
fines amerciamenta et omnia alia de predictis placitis et transgressionibus
proueniencia eodem modo quo nos et beredes nostri predict! ea baberemus si
foreste cbacee et parci predicti essent in manu nostra. In cuius etc. Teste
rege apud Westm' uicesimo quinto die ^ Maii.
After the date of these letters patent the forests of Pickering
and Lancashire were subject to all the laws which prevailed in the
royal forests. The records of the eyres held by the justices of the
earls are of the same form and deal with precisely the same matters
as those which were held before the justices of the king. But although
the privilege of having justices so granted to the earl of Lancaster
was in the time of Edward I. unique, something very like it had been
sought and perhaps obtained earlier in the century. Eobert earl
of Derby, whose earldom and honour, as we have seen, was granted
to Edmund Crouchback in 1266, had himself applied^ for leave to
hold pleas of the forest in his forest between the rivers Ribble and
Mersey. The substance of the king's answer seems to have been a
direction for an inquiry as to what had been done in the matter on
previous occasions.
• Patent Roll 103, id. 12. ' 25 May 1285. ' Close Roll 65, m. 7 i7i dorso.
THE CHASE, THE PARK AND THE WARIIEN cxiii
Mandatuin est G. tie Langel' iusticiario foreste quod rex permitterct
dictum G. tenere placita foreste comitis Derb' ad peticionem ipsius comitis
inter Ribbell' et Mers' ; et quia nescitur utrum comes habeat talem liber-
tatem quod debeat huiusmodi placita tenere uel quod homines illius foreste
debeant sequi placita foreste apud Lancastr' ; et mandatum est eidem G.
quod diligenter inquirat ueritatem in hac parte, et si constiterit quod dictus
comes habeat libertatem huiusmodi placita tenere et quod predicti homines
non debeant sequi placita foreste apud Lancastr' uel alibi, concessit rex quod
dictus G. teneat placita foreste predicti comitis quatenus facere potest sine
preiudicio regis. Teste rege.
Again, there is an entry ^ on the Close Eoll of 35 Hen. III. which
perhaps refers to an eyre then iiitentlLcl to be held by GcolTrey of
Langley, the justice of the forest in the forest of Dartmoor, which was
at that time the property of Eichard, earl of Cornwall.
Rex concessit R. comiti Cornubie quod post iter G. de Langel' in comitatu
Notingh' ad placita foreste eat in foie-;tam de Dertemor' ad negocia sua
predicti comitis expedienda. Et mandatum est eidem G. quod post iter
suum completum diuertat se ad forestam prtdittam pro negociis memoratis.
Teste rege apud Wind' uicesimo primo die lanuarii.
Some of the lesser incidents of a forest are often found as incidents
of chases. Thus chiminage^ was taken iu the reign of Edward I.
in the chase of Cranbourne, and in the same chase there was also a
fence ^ month beginning a fortnight before Midsummer day in every
year for the protection of the lord s deer.* In Malvern chase dogs
were lawed ^ at regular intervals, accoruing to a customary rule, which,
however, differed a little from that which prevailed in the forests.^ The
lawing was called * hombling,' and took place twice in seven years.
All dogs which were found that could not or would not be drawn
through a strap of eighteen inches- and a barleycorn in length and
breadth were hombled. The further joints of the two middle claws
were cut clean away, and the master or owner of the dog was amerced
' Close Eoll 65, m. 20 in dorso. postea per compulsionem illorum ueninnt
^ iio^^iH i/;<n(ircdorw?«, ii. 245, 248, 253. ad scotalla sua. Et postea colligunt gal-
* Ibid. p. 255. Unas contra Natale Dei, agnos et pelJes
* It also appears that the foresters of the aguorum ad maximum grauamen tocits
chase of Cranbourne committed acts of ex- patrie predicte.' (Eotuli Jdvndrcdorum,
tortion in the reign of Edward i. The ii. 249.)
following presentment was made in Ed. i. : ^ Nash's History of Worcestershire, i.
' Item idem forestarii ad uoluntatem p. Ixxiiii.
suam colligunt garbas per autumnum infra ° The sixth chapter of the Charter of the
metas et bundas predictas in comitatu Forest prescribed the manner of lawing in
Wiltes' ; et nichilominus post autumnum the king's forests :
similiter metu extorquent communiter a ' Talis, autem, sit expeditacio per assisam
populoiuxtaillam chaciam manenti bladum communite-r quod tres ortilli abscidantur
trituratum ad bracianda scotalla sua, et sine pclota de pede anteriori.'
CXIV INTRODUCTION
in three shillings and a penny. Again in some chases the lords held
courts which were called swauimotes. There is a case in the Year
Book of 21 and 22 Ed. I. concerning a right of pasture in a wood
within the free chase of Whaddon in the county of Buckingham.
Counsel, addressing the court on behalf of the lord of the chase, stated
that it had been given to an ancestor of the lord by Henry III. to hold
as a chase in the same manner as it had been held by the king when
it was forest, and that the lord had three swanimotes yearly for
searching and inquiring whether anyone put more beasts therein than
he ought to put. The actual words ^ of the report are as follows :
Sire, nanyl, me le roy Henry nus le granta e dona a tenyr cum chace
aussy cum yl la teint qant ele fut foreyt le roy ; e nus avum treis swayne-
motes par an pur encercher e enquere sy nuly matte plusurs avers ke metre
ne deit.
The lord of a private forest or chase seems also to have been at
liberty to appoint verderers to protect his rights. By a charter ^ of
the early years of Henry IH. John de Vezpont granted to the lords of
the manors of Warcop, Sandford, Burton and Hitton, all in the county
of Westmoreland, freedom from forester's puture, and from all things
that he, his ancestors or heirs or his foresters might or could take or
demand at any time by occasion of the said puture by the testimony
of the verderers or hunters. It is clear from this charter that the
verderers mentioned in it were the officials of the lord of a private
forest. Again, the memorandum ^ to which we have already referred
shows that there were officers called verderers in the free chase of
Malvern, although their duties undoubtedly differed from those of
verderers in the king's forests. It is possible, however, that at an
earlier date verderers in this chase were engaged in work similar to
that of verderers in a forest.
Manwood in his 'Forest Laws ' described ^ the l)uck, the doe, the fox,
the marten and the roe as beasts of the chase. But his description
is not well founded in law. AVhen the king granted a forest to a
subject his rights over the venison or beasts of the forest passed to his
grantee. No legal significance was attached to the words ' beasts of the
chase.' When they were used they were intended to denote the venison
of a chase and not a class of beasts distinct from the beasts of the forest.
But although there was no distinction in law between beasts of the
' Year Book, Rolls Series, 21 and 22 Cumberland, i. 231.
Ed. i. p. 627. ' See p. ex above.
2 The charter is printed in Nicholson * Forest Lawcs, ed. 1615, cap. 4, p. 39 v°.
and Burns, History of Westmoreland and
THE CHASE. THE PARK AND THE WARREN
forest and beasts of the chase, the various beasts which were hunted
were divided into two principal classes by sportsmen. A hunter who
lived in the reign of Edward II. and at a later date became known as
Twici,' wrote a little tract ^ in French on the art of hunting. In it
he states that the hart, the wolf, the boar and the hare are hunted
in one way, and the buck, the doe, the fox and all other vermin in
another. Manwood's classification of beasts of the forest and beasts
of the chase was based upon Twici's tract and not upon any con-
sideration of the laws afiecting them. The material words of the
tract on this subject are as follows :
Le lefre . . . . ; il est enchase, e le cerf ausi est enchace e le lou e le
sengler. Et vous, sire veneour, dites moy quantes des bestes sunt aquilliz.
Le deym e la deyme e le gopil e la gopille e tote autre vermiue. Ore vodroi
ioe savoir quantez des bestes sunt meuz de Ijmer e qnanz de bestes sunt
trouez de brachez. Sire, touz ceaus qe sunt encliaces, sunt meuz de lymer.
E touz ceaus enquillez sunt trovez de brachez.
It is probable, however, that the methods of hunting which were
adopted in Twici's day were modified at a later date ; and that in the
time of Manwood there was no good reason for his classification, even
for purposes of sport.
The word ' chase ' was sometimes used in other senses than that
of a private forest. Thus in some letters ^ close of 10 January,
122f the sheriff is directed to summon those who have enjoyed
chase : that is to say, an acquittance or some liberty belonging to
forest. At other times it seems to have denoted a portion of the
forest in which the inhabitants had no customary right of common.
In the Chapters of the Eegard of 1229, for instance, regarders * are
directed to view the king's demesne enclosures and chases where no
man has common.
Parks.
The word * park ' was applied to a district of land enclosed with a
paling. There is no reason for supposing that it was used exclusively
of enclosures made for the purpose of preserving beasts /erae naturae.
' His real name seems to have been joyed. (Close EoU 154, m. 34 d.)
Twiti. On 21 July 1322 the king sent ^ The tract was printed in 1840 at the
William Twyti into the forests of Thomas, Middle Hill Press. It was reprinted in
late Earl of Lancaster, to take venison. 1843 with a preface, translation, and notes
(Close Eoll 147, m. 32.) On 13 March 1328 by Sir Henry Dryden.
the king sent a certain person to the abbot ^ Rot. Lit. Clniis. ii. 20B.
of Reading to receive such maintenance in ' Royal Letters, lien. Hi., Rolls Series,
the abbey as William Twiti formerly en- i. 348.
CXVl
INTRODUCTION
At the present day it is often found as a field name' in the west of
England, and it is not improbable that a similar usage prevailed in
the Middle Ages.
Authority may be cited to prove that the king's licence was
necessary before a subject could make a park ; but whatever may
have been the case in Tudor and Stuart times, no such licence was
required in the reigns of the Plantagenet kings, provided that their
rights of forest were not infringed. Sometimes, it is true, they
granted licences to make parks by letters patent or charter, but it
will be found that the royal grants were required because the parks
in question were situate either within a forest or in the immediate
neighbourhood of one.^ There are innumerable cases of trespasses in
parks lying outside the king's forest mentioned on the Patent Eolls
of the reign of Edward I. It would be impossible for licences to have
been granted by the king for the enclosure of all these parks without
the enrolment of the licences appearing on the Patent Rolls, Charter
Eolls, or other records.^
I
' So too the word ' imparcare ' means to
impound or to put in an ei closure. As a
general rule, however, ' a park ' was used of
an enclosure expressly made for deer. In
4 Ed. iii. a respondent answered to a writ
of Quo Waranto at Derby as follows :
' Et quod ad alium parcum quem clamat
dicit quod ille non est parcus, set est
quedam clausura que uocatur Estiuker in
quaclausuracontinentur fere etc' (Placita
de Quo Wai'ctnto, p. 151.)
Notwithstanding^ the answer of the re-
spondent to the writ concerning this park
he was amerced for his false claim :
' Et quoad predietam clausturam que
uocatur E stinker quam clamat ut parcum
etc., idem llobeitus in misericordia pro
falso clamio etc'
A somewhat similar answer was given at
York early in the reign of Ed. i. ;
' Et Eobertus uenit et dicit quod non
clamat habere parcum ibidem ; set dicit
quod antecessores sui ctipsea tempore con-
questus Anglie semper tenuerunt boscum
suum inclusum in suo seperali.' {Flacita
dc Qiio Waranto, p. 195.)
- Thus by letters patent dated 23
February 1335 the king granted Kalph de
Neville licence to impark his woods of
Middleham and Sheriff Hutton and to
make a deer leap in the park of Sheriff
Hutton notwithstanding that it was near
the forest of Galtres. (Patent Eoll 185, m.
34.)
No claims to parks were made before the
king's justices in Kent in 6 Ed. ii. This
county contained no forests (p. cviii above),
but it must have contained many parks.
(Placita de Quo Waranto, pp. 310 to 308.)
There was also no forest in Norfolk, and no
claims to parks in that county were made be-
fore the king's justices in 14 Ed. i. {rbid. pp.
481-4U8.) It should also be noticed that in tlie
charter of 18 May 1204, which disafforested
all the county of Devon except Dartmoor
and Exmoor, the king declared that the
men of Devon might make parks outside
the metes of tlie excepted forests. The
language of the charter suggests that the
king was only granting them a privilege
which was enjoyed everywhere outside
the royal forests {Botiili Chartarum,
132.)
' On the other hand, there certainly are
cases in which the owners of parks were
called upon to show by what warrant they
held them, even when the parks were not
situate in or near forests. This happened
in 4 Ed. iii. with respect to Wrast (now
Wrest) park in Bedfordshire, which is at a
considerable distance from a forest. {Flacita
de Quo Waranto, p. 45.) It may be that iu
these cases the king's advisers set up a
claim which could not be justified by
precedent. Sometimes, however, a park
seems to have been considered as an
encroachment upon rights of common.
Thus :
' Hugo de Swyllington summonitus fuit
ad respondendum domino regi de placito
quo waranto appropriauit sibi parcum in
le Eodes in loco qui uocatur Indansal' et
THE CHASE, THE PARK A^^D THE WARRIN CXVU
The effect of the forest laws was to give the king a certain right of
property in the beasts of the forest, which, as we have seen, were
described as the king's venison. When he partially disafforested a
wood or a piece of land, he frequently reserved his venison by such
words as ' salua nobis uenacione nostra.' At other times he would
entirely disafforest a district and grant ■ by express words that its
owner should be at liberty to make a park of it. In such cases the
beasts of the forest, as soon as they entered the park, became beasts
Jerae naturae unprotected by the forest law, and the owner of the
park might lawfully kill them for his own use. Every grant of
liberty to impark carried with it the obligation of keeping the park
properly enclosed, so that the king might not lose his beasts in
consequence of his grant.
Outside the forests the owners of neighbouring lands were in the
habit of imparking them and making certain contrivances called
* deer leaps ' or saltatoria, which were of such a nature as to enable
the beasts of the forest to enter the park and to x^revent them from
coming out again. If, however, the deer leap was within a short
distance of the forest, it would be presented to the justices in eyre as
a nuisance to the forest, and they would then order it to be removed.
The precise distance within which a deer leap was considered a
nuisance to a forest is a matter of doubt.' At the Cumberland
forest eyre of 1285, a presentment" was made that Isabel of Clifford
held a park in which there were two deer leaps, nuisances to the
forest, one being a league and the other a league and a half dis-
tant from it.
Isabella de Clifford, que est una heredum Eoberti de Ueteri ponte
defuncti tenet parcuiu de Qwynnefeld iu comitatu Westmerl' ubi sunt duo
saltoria ^ ad nocumeutum foreste de eo quod unum non distat a foresta
domini regis de Inglewod' per unam leucam at aliud distat fere per unam
leucam et dimidiain, quorum Johannes de Ueteri ponte pater Eoberti de
Ueteri ponte fecit unum et Eobertus predictus fecit aliud ; et aliud elongauit
ad nocumentum foreste domini regis predicte. Et testatum fuit quod
alibi in terris suis in comitatu isto sine 21 February 136| the forest officers and
licencia et uoluntate domini regis et prede- jurors made the following statement :
cessorum regum Anglie. ' Quod in parco de Cormalet sunt duo
' Et Hugo per attornatum suum uenit et saltatoria, qui quidem parens non distat a
dicit quod ipse habet quoddam [sic] clausum dicta foresta tres leucas ; et male includitur
boscum quod continet quadraglnta acras ad nocumentum ferarum domini regis et
iuxta curiam suani ubi nullus comunicare contra assisam foreste.' (For. Proc, Tr.
debet nee comunicauit a tempore quo of Rec, No. 309, Skin 13.)
non extat memoria. Ideo inquiratur de - For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 5, Roll
seysina.' (Plaeita de Quo Waranio, p. 196. 37 d.
See also ibid. p. 339.) " The use of the word ' saltoria ' instead
' At an inquisition held at Somerton on of ' saltatoria ' is exceptional.
Cxvili INTRODUCTION
tempore predict! Robert! solebant fere domini regis fugari in parcur
predictum per saltoria predicta ad magnam destruccionem ferarum domii
regis ; set post obitum predicti Roberti nullus heredum suorum se de huius
modi fuga se intromisit.
By an inquisition' held at Kinver in March 133|, concerning th
state of the forest of Kinver, it was found that the prior o
Worcester held a park more than two leagues distant from the covert
of the forest, in which there was a deer leap to the king's damage.
Et quod prior sancte Marie Wygorn' tenet quemdam parcum, qui uocatur
Eymor, qui distat a cooperto foreste predicte per duas leucas et amplius
super quo est unum sanatorium per quod fere domini regis in eodem intrare
possunt ad dampnum domini regis.
Even if a park which was close to a forest had no deer leap, it
would seem that it might be considered a nuisance. In the reign
of Edward I. there was a park about a quarter of a league outside
the free chase of Malvern. The lord of the chase proceeded against
the owner of the park in the court of the king's bench, with the
result that the justices, besides ordering the deer leaps in the park
to be removed, also ordered the park to be made open.^ If a park
close to a free chase might be considered a nuisance to the chase,
a park similarly situate with respect to a royal forest must un-
doubtedly have been considered a nuisance to the forest.^ Thus the
presentment already mentioned concerning the park of Isabel of
Clifford at Whinfell contains a statement that her ancestor had en-
larged it to the nuisance of the forest. Probably the objection to a
park in the neighbourhood of a forest was that, even if it contained
no deer leap, the beasts of the forest might easily find their way
into it at points where the paling was out of repair, and might
have difficulty in finding their way out again. There would always
be a temptation to the owner to entice the king's deer into his park
for his own use.*
In the early years of the reign of Henry III. deer stealing in parks
was not an offence reckoned among the Pleas of the Crown, nor
' For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 258. ■• In the Essex eyre rolls of 5 Ed. i. the
== Coram Eege EoUs, No. 124, Roll 50 d. following entry occurs :
^ At an inquisition held at Gillingham ' Presentatum est etc. quod parous episcopi
on 29 June 1366 the following verdict was Eliens' qui uocatur Eokhey ita male
given : includitur circumquaque quod pro defectu
' Quod parous principis Wallie de Mere, clausture fere domini regis eumingrediuntur,
qui non distat a foresta tres leucas, ita et ibidem capiuntur ad magnum damnum
male includitur per quod fere domini regis domini regis. Et non est ibi uenacio nisi
intrant ad nocumentum foreste.' {For. que ingreditur a foresta. Parens capiatur.'
Froc, Tr. of Rec, No. 298). (For. Proc, Tr. of Rcc, No. 12, Roll 6.)
THE CHASE, THE PARK A^^D THE WARREN CXIX
was it at any time one which concerned the laws of the forest. It
is possible that lords of manors enjoyed lawfully or assumed unlaw-
fully a jurisdiction in this respect. But whether they did so or
not, they certainly had no power of punishing trespassers in their
parks by imprisonment. At the parliament held on January 23,
123|, when the Provisions of Merton were enacted, the magnates
of England are said to have demanded power to imprison male-
factors taken in their parks and stews, and the king is said to have
refused their demand.'
De malefactoribus in parcis et uiuariis non est discussum quia magnates
pecierunt propriam prisonam suam de illis, quos ceperant in parcis et
uiuariis suis ; quod quidem dominus rex contradixit ; et ideo differtur.
Ten years later a new law was enacted with respect to trespasses
in parks and stews. There is no enrolment of it on the Patent or
Close Eolls, but it is recorded in the ' Additamenta ' to the ' Chronica
Maiora ' of Matthew Paris. When an earl, a baron, or a knight
complained to the king of deer having been taken in his park, an
inquisition was to be held pursuant to a writ from the king, and
if anyone was -found guilty he was to lie in prison for a year and
a day. At the end of that term he was to be ransomed for a sum
equal to three years' value of his lands, and he was to find twelve
pledges that he would not trespass again in parks, stews, or forests.
Two parts of the ransom were to belong to the king, and the remain-
ing third to the owner of the park. When the trespasser was taken
suddenly, which no doubt means when he was arrested in the act of
trespassing, the punishment was the same, but there appears to have
been no need for an inquisition. In this case the king was to have
one half the ransom only, and the owner of the park the other half.
The law is thus stated by Matthew Paris : ^
Quomodo puniuntur inuenti malefactores de parcis et uiuariis. Si fugit
et occidatur malefactor, noa optinebit ius nee appellum ; si uero comes, bare,
uel miles domino regi conquestus fuerit de bestiis captis in parco suo ita
quod per breue domini regis facta fuerit inquisitio, tunc inditatus per
inquisitionem et conuictus iacebit in prisona domini regis per unum annum
et unum diem et postea redimatur ad pretium ualoris terrarum suarum per
tres annos, ita tamen quod interea de suo paupere sustentetur. Et tunc
dominus rex habebit duas partes redemptionis, et ille cui transgressus fuerit
tertiam. Ec post illam redemptionem inueniet duodecim plegios qui ipsum
manucapient quod deinceps non malefaciet in parcis uiuariis uel forestis, nee
' Statutes of the Realm, vol. i. p. 4.
* Chronica Maiora, Eolls Series, vol. vi. p. 117.
CXX I^'TRODUCTION
in aliquo contra pacem domini regis. Et si contingat ipsum in aliquo
predictorum malefacere, plegii sui respondebunt de corpore eius et de trans-
gressione. Si uero aliquis subito captus fuerit in parco uel uiuario sine
inquisitione facienda per breue domini regis babebit prisonam domini regis
ut predictum est, et postea debet redimi modo predicto ; et ex ilia redemp-
tione babebit dominus rex medietatem et lesus aliam ; et postea inueuiet
duodecim plegios, modo predicto.
This is not the full text of the new law. It contains none of the
introductory words which are always found in royal diplomas, and it
appears to be rather the description of the law than the material part
of its text. Indeed it is at least open to doubt whether the new law
ever came into operation. Neither on the plea rolls nor elsewhere is
there evidence that recourse was frequently had to its provisions. It
is, however, significant that Matthew Paris speaks of it as a law * cum
rigoris incremento,' ^ from which it may be inferred that there had
previously been some punishment for the offences against which it
was directed. As in all actions for trespass in the king's bench the
defendant might, if judgment was given in favour of the plaintiff, be
imprisoned, an explanation of the words * cum rigoris incremento '
may be that the second part of the new law was intended to specify
a particular degree of punishment in a particular kind of trespass.
The enforcement of a law imposing a punishment of this nature would
in the thirteenth century in a large measure depend upon the will of
the king's justices. In the same way the operation of that part of the
new law which related to inquisitions upon trespasses in parks could
easily have been defeated by the clerks in Chancery, from whom the
writs for holding such inquisitions would be obtained.
Among the Chapters of the Eyre of the latter half of the reign of
Henry III. there is an article^ concerning malefactors in parks and
stews. This may have had its origin in the new law of the year 1246,
but it is improbable that the king or his advisers intended its enforce-
ment in this way. The language in which the law is described
requires either a special inquisition or a procedure by way of action
at the suit of the person injured. The Chapters of the Eyre, on the
other hand, formed the basis of a procedure by way of presentment.
The next important alteration in the law relating to trespasses
in parks and stews was made by the Statutes of "Westminster of
the year 1275.^ A plaintiff at whose suit a trespasser was at-
tainted was to ber awarded substantial amends, and the trespasser
' Chronica Maiora, vol. iv. p. 518. vol. i. p. 234.)
' De malefactoribus in parcis et uiuariis, ^ Statutes of the Realm, vol. i. p. 32.
et qui illi f uerunt.' {Statutes of the Realm,
TITE CTIARE, THE PARK AND THE WARREN cxxi
was to be imprisoned for three years, but he might be ransomed at
the will of the king if he had wherewith to be ransomed and could find
surety that he would not tresjDass again. If he had not wherewith to
be ransomed, he was to stay in prison for three years and then find
surety ; but if he could not find surety he was to abjure the realm. Fugi-
tives accused of trespass and having no lands by which they might be
brought to justice were, after the facts had been found by inquest, to
be put in exigent and outlawed. If no one sued within a year and a
day after a trespass had been committed, the king was to have the
Buit. Those who took tame beasts in parks were to be treated as
robbers and punished according to the common law. By these statutes
the punishment for trespaf-ssing in parks was more severe than for
similar offences in the forests.'
The following is the text of the sections of the statutes which
relate to parks :
Purueu est de mefesurs de parkes & de viners ke, si mil soit ateint par seute
le pleiutif, soient agardes bones & hautes amendes soulum la manere del
trespas, & eint la prison de iij anz & de ilokes soie7it reinz a la volunte le rey,
sil ad dount estre issient reint ; & trouesse bone seurete ke mes ne les face;
e sil ne ad dount estre reint apres la prison de iij anz trouesse meme la
seurete ; e sil ne puise trouer la seurete, forsiurge le reaume ; & si nnl, de
ceo rette, soit futif & nen eit terre ne tenement suffisand par quei il puise
estre iustice, si tost com le roy auera ceo troue par bone enqueste soit
demande de cunte en cunte ; & sil ne vient soit vtlage.
E purueu & acorde est ensemewt ke si nul ne en seut dedenz le an e le iur
puis le trespas fet le roy auera la seute & ceus kil trouera rettez de ceo par
bone enqueste scrrunt puniz par meme la manc7-e en tuz poinz sicom desus
est dit. E si nul tel mefesur soit ateint kil eit pris en ceo parks bestes
daraache ou autre chose en manere de roberie en venand ou en demurrand
ou returnand soit fet de luy co?nmu7me ley ke affiert a cely ki est ateint
de aperte roberie & larcin ausi bien a la seute le roy com de autre.
A year later there was a change in procedure. By the law which
ia known as the * Statute concerning justices being assigned called
Eageman,' ^ it was provided that justices should go throughout the
land to inquire, hear, and determine all complaints and suits for
trespasses committed within the twenty-five years past, as well by
the king's baihffs and officers as by other bailiffs, and by all other
persons whomsoever. They were to inquire, hear, and determine the
plaints of those who wished to complain of breaches of the king's
> No official enrolment of these statutes of the earliest versions of the statutes,
exists. The above text is printed from the The text in the Statutes of the Realm
Harlean MS. 74 (at fo. 94 r") at the British (vol. i. p. 32) is from a later manuscript.,
Museum. This manuscript supplies one '^ Statutes of tlie Realm, vol. i. p. U.
CXxil INTRODUCTION
statutes, as well concerning the king and the people. In trespasses
for which amercement was the penalty, the plea was to be finally
determined, and amends were to be made to the plaintiff. In those
in which ransom or imprisonment was the penalty, amends were to
be forthwith adjudged to the plaintiff, and the trespassers were to be
put by good mainprise to be before the king at the parliament next
ensuing ; if not, they were to abide in prison, and the justices were to
inquire of their lands and goods and of the manner of the trespass,
and certify the king thereof at the parliament, that he might punish
them according to their deserts.
After the date of this statute large numbers of complaints of
trespasses were heard and determined by justices specially appointed
for the purpose. As the letters patent by which they were appointed
were endorsed upon the Patent Eolls, we can obtain a considerable
amount of information about the operation of the statute. It was the
practice to appoint at least two justices for each case, but the number
was sometimes increased to three or even four. They were usually
selected from the justices of the two benches and a group of other
persons, who were constantly employed at this work but held no
permanent judicial office. Among the cases of trespass which they
heard a large number related to trespasses in parks and stews.
Owners of chases also availed themselves of the provisions of the
statute, and commissions to justices to hear and determine complaints
of trespasses in chases were constantly issued. It is probable that
the jurisdiction of the courts of the chase in trespasses against the
venison fell into disuse as these commissions became common.
Although a park was a district enclosed with a paling, while a
cbase was usually not enclosed at all, the chief distinction between
chases and parks is to be found in the laws which were applicable to
them. In the chase certain beasts were the property of the lord and
were preserved as such by the laws of the forest. These laws were
enforced in different degrees in different chases, but nowhere were
they part of the ordinary law of the land. The park, on the other
hand, was not subject to the forest law. No beasts can be described
in law as beasts of the park. The deer which parks contained and
for which parks were made, were preserved, not by reason of their
being the property of the owner of a park, but because it was a
trespass to enter a park for the purpose of taking or hunting beasts
ferae naturae.
THE CHASE, THE PARK AND THE AYARREN CXXUl
Warren.
It may here be observed that the public had a right of hunting
beasts ferae naturae in all unenclosed lands, unless the lands were
subject to the forest laws or to some restriction upon hunting
arising out of a royal grant. Probably the only limit to the
right was that it could not be exercised in such a way as to injure
property. A direct statement to this effect is not to be found in
any of our medigeval treatises on law. But the object of charters of
warren and the laws relating to them would be inexplicable if the
public had not the right of hunting on unenclosed lands outside
forests, chases and warrens.^
The word ' Warren ' was used to denote either the exclusive right
of hunting and taking certain beasts /era*? naturae in a particular piece
of land or the land over which such right extended. William the
Conqueror granted ^ that the abbot and monks of Battle should have
warren in all places belonging to their monastery. In the twelfth
century the kings of England made many grants of warren both to
religious bodies and private individuals. Their successors of the
thirteenth century, John, Henry III. and Edward I., made lavish grants
of the same nature, and by the middle of the fourteenth century it is
probable that the majority of lords of manors enjoyed this right in
virtue of grants to them or their ancestors.
Throughout the middle ages there was little change in the form of
the operative part of a charter of warren. It consisted of three prin-
cipal clauses. The first was a formal grant of free warren in the
demesne lands of the person to whom the charter was granted. The
second declared that the grant was subject to a proviso that the lands
were not within the metes of the king's forest ; and the third pre-
scribed the mode in which the grant was to be enjoyed : namely, in
such a way that no person might enter the land to hunt on it or to
take anything which belonged to warren without the licence and will
of the grantee or his heii^s under pain of a forfeiture of ten pounds.
The following is an example of a charter ^ of warren of the 21st Sep-
tember 1267.
' In 21 Ed. i. certain persons made ipsi fugauerunt in predicto bosco sicut
answer before the king's justices at New- bene licuit omnibus de patria etc. ; et quod
castle as follows : ita sit ponunt se super patriam.' (Placita
' Quod predictus E. habet ibi quendam de Quo Waranto, p. 601.)
boscum non inclusum set apertum et in ' See Charter Eoll, No. 106, m. 25, Entry
quo nulla fera existit nisi lantum wulpes 56.
et lepores etc. Et bene cognoscunt quod ' The text is from the origiual charter
c?
M' .
\
a'
K^
r'^
S'
CXXIV IXTRODUCTION
Henricns dei gracia rex Angl' dominus Hibern' et dux Aqnit' arclii-
episcopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, comitibus, baronibus, iusticiariis,
uicecomitibus, prepositis et omnibus balliuis et fidelibus suis, salutem.
Sciatis nos concessisse et hac carta nostra confirmasse dilecto et fideli nostro
Roberto de Halyeton' quod ipse et heredes sui babeant imperpetuum liberam
warennam in omnibus domiuicis terris suis de Haleutbton', Alureston',
Oflfileg', Scbebbedon', Hulle, Tunstalle, et le Lee in comitatu Stafford' et in
omnibus dominicis terris suis in ^Yithinton', Longenbore, et Cle}bur' in
comitatu Sallopp', dum tamen terre ille non sint infra metas forreste nostre,
ita tamen quod nullus intret terras illas ad fugandum in eis uel ad all quid
capiendum quod ad warennam pertineat sine lictncia et uoluntate ipsius
Eoberti uel heredum suorum super forisfacturam nostram decern librarum,
Quare uolumus et firmiter precipimus pro nobis et heredibus nostris quod
predictus liobertus et heredes sui babeant imperpetuum liberam warrennam
in omnibus dominicis terris suis predictis dum tamen terre ille non sint infra
metas forreste nostre ita quod nullus intret terras illas ad fugandum in eis
uel ad aliquid capiendum quod ad warennam pertineat sine licencia et
uoluntate ipsius Roberti uel heredum suorum super forisfacturam nostram
decem librarum sicut predictum est. Hiis testibus Henrico filio Ricardi
regis Alem', nepote nostro, Rogero de Clifford', Rogero de Somery, Willelmo
de sancto Omero, Roberto Aguylun, lobanne de la Lynde, \Yillelmo de Aete,
Eadulfo de Bakepuz et aliis. Data per manum nostram apud Sallopp'
uicesimo tercio die Septembris anno regni nostri quinquagesimo primo.
The right of warren was not considered to be appnrtenant to land.
If anyone who had received a grant of warren in his demesne lands
apsigned the lands to another, the assignee acquired the lands without
the warren, hecause the grant, if in the usual form, had been made to
the assignor and his heirs, not to the assignor, his heirs and assigns.
Upon such an assignment taking place the lands were liable to be
diswarrened. Thus in November 1292 John of Seton was summoned ^
before Hugh of Cressingham and his fellows, justices in eyre at Carlisle,
to answer to the king by what warrant he claimed to have free warren
in Lamonby. John came and said that King Henry III. had granted
to a certain Robert of Haunton, whose assign he was, free warren in
all dis demesne lands in Lamonby, and produced a charter in witness
thereof. In reply the king's attorney said that as John was not the
heir nor of the blood of Robert, he could not claim warren by any
charter made to Robert, on the ground that he showed no special deed
to him or his ancestors; and he demanded judgment. It was
adjudged that John's land in Lamonby should be diswarrened.^
at the British Museum, to which the refer- - It seems, however, that early in the
ence is Add. Ch. 15773. The charter is reign of Ed. i. the king conceded that when
also enrolled on Charter Eoll 61, m. 3. he or his ancestors had made a grant of
' Placita de Quo Waranto, p. 118. warren the liberty so granted should pass
THE CHASE, THE PARK AND THE WARREN CXXV
It was the usual practice for the king to restrict his grants of
warren to the demesne lands of his subjects. If anyone appropriated
a right of warren over the lands of his free tenants or neighbours he
was considered to have abused his franchise and was liable to lose it
and be amerced in the king's courts. When landowners were sum-
moned to show by what warrant they claimed free warren in their
demesne lands and were able to show a good title, the king's attorneys
often raised the further objection that the franchise had been enlarged
in this way, and the question was then submitted to a jury.^ Nor was
enlargement the only way in which the right of warren might be
abused. It seems that the owner of a warren was obliged to keep a
warrener or warden to prevent people hunting in it without his licence ;
for like other franchises a warren might be forfeited by non-user.
Jollan de Neville was summoned "^ before justices in eyre at Nottingham
in November 1329 to show by what warrant he claimed free warren in
his demesne lands of Rolleston. He i^roduced a charter of Edward I.
granting him the right. Thereupon the king's attorney said that
he had abused his right. A jury found that he had not guarded his
warren and, without even his licence being sought and obtained, had
permitted anyone who would to hunt there at his own pleasure. It
was then adjudged that Jollan should lose his warren.^
The forfeiture of ten pounds to which persons who hunted in
warrens without the licence of their owners were liable belonged to
the king. In many cases suits were brought in the king's courts by
landowners against trespassers in their warrens. When judgment
was in favour of the plaintiff, it declared that he should recover his
damages against the defendant, and that the king should have his ten
pounds of forfeiture. Thus, the finding of the jury and the judgment
in a case of trespass in a warren is recorded on the rolls ^ of the King's
Bench for Trinity term 1305 as follows :
with the soil of the warren to an assignee. p. 395. See also ibid. pp. 441, 397.)
{Rolls of Parliament, p. 98.) '' Placita de Quo Waranto, p. 618.
' At an eyre in Lincolnshire in 9 Ed. i. ' At the same eyre other lords lost their
it was proved that the lord had enlarged warrens through non-user. Thus we have:
his warren, and he was thereupon amerced : ' Et quoad warennam in dominicis terris
' Et quoad elargacionem warenne dicunt suis in W. dicit quod idem H. non posuit
quod ipse [Willelmus] tenet in warennam custodem ibi pro ilia warenna custodienda
ODQnes terras libere tenendum suorum infra set quemlibet pro uoluntate sua permisit in
dictum manerium. Ideo consideratum est eademfugare licencia ipsiusH. non optenta.
quod decetero non capiat aliquas emendas Ideo predicta libertas warenne habende in
pro predictis transgressionibus ; et quod dominicis terris suis de W. capiatur in
terre predictorum libere tenendum suorum manum domini regis.' (Ibid. p. 640. Sep
infra predictum manerium suum sint de also ibid. p. G39.)
cetero extra warennam. Et Willelmus in * Coram Eege Rolls, 181, Eot. 25 d.
misericordia.' (Placita de Quo Waranto
CXXVl INTRODUCTION
luratores dicunt super sacramentum suum quod predictus Ricardus
predictis die et anno semel tantuni intrauit Avarennam predictam et in eadem
fugauit et duos lepores ibidem cepit et asportauit contra uoluntatem ipsius
abbatis et contra pacem etc. ad dampnum ipsius abbatis sex denariorum.
Ideo consideratum est quod predictus abbas recuperet dampna sua predicta
sex denariorum uersus predictum Ricardum ; et idem Ricardus capiatur ; et
dominus rex habeat decern libras de forisfactura etc, secundum statutum etc.
It is not to be understood that whenever it was proved that a
trespass had been committed, there was a forfeiture of ten pounds or
of any part of that sum. When the suit was brought in the king's
covu't no doubt a forfeiture was incurred. Unless, however, the
trespass was serious, it was not tried in the king's court, but in the
court of the lord of the warren, or if there were none, perhaps in the
hundred or county court. If a trespass were brought before the lord
of the warren in the lord's court and the offence was proved, there
seems to have been no procedure by way of forfeiture. The king or
his officers would have no notice either of the trespass or of its trial.
Moreover, trespasses in warrens must have been common offences. If
there were forfeitures on conviction in the courts of lords of warrens,
some trace of them would be found on the records of the exchequer.
On the other hand if the lord had no court, and the proceedings took
place in the hundred or county court, it is possible that the for-
feiture may have been enforced in them on the king's behalf. If it
were enforced, there would not necessarily be any trace of it on the
records of the exchequer. The hundred courts in many parts of the
country had, at an early date, been granted to subjects who would
claim forfeitures for breach of warren as their own property. Hundred
courts, when not in the hands of subjects, and county courts were
farmed by the sheriffs at a fixed annual sum, and they, too, would
make a similar claim. Thus there would be no account rendered at
the exchequer of forfeitures for breach of warren, in a suit for trespass
in either of these courts.
Another remedy to which the lord of a warren might have
recourse for a breach of his franchise was the impounding of the
greyhounds, nets or snares of the persons trespassing, and the deten-
tion of them until satisfaction had been made for the trespass. It
would appear that this method of procedure was a common one, as
numerous examples of it are to be found in the Plea Rolls of the royal
courts. Thus in 7 Ed. I. the king's attorney alleged ' that Richard
fitz John, who had free warren in his demesne lands of Shere, had
' Flacita de Quo Waranto, p. 740.
THE CHAvSE, THE PARK AND THE WARREN CXXVll
enwarrened the lands of his free tenants and kept them in defense so
that no one could hunt in them without his hounds being taken and
detained until he made satisfaction to the same Richard.' In all cases
where the lord protected his interests in this way there would, in
general, be no forfeiture to the king. If a suit to replevy the property
taken by the lord were brought in the king's court, the king's officers
exacted a forfeiture when due.
It appears that the lord of a warren usually had a court of his
own, in which cases of trespass could be determined. Charters of
warren seem to have been for the most part granted to lords of
manors. It may, indeed, be doubted whether cases of trespass in
warrens were ever heard in the courts of the hundred and the county.
. If the lord had a court of his own, he naturally would not sue in any
other court without some good reason. If he had no such court, he
would often be the tenant of some other lord who had a court in
which he could proceed against trespassers in his warren. Un-
fortunately, the records of courts of hundreds and counties are rare,
and the mere absence of cases relating to warrens in those records of
them which we have is not a sufficient basis for a confident state-
ment that the hundred and county courts had no jurisdiction in
such cases.
In a few charters of warren it was expressly declared that no
person might enter the lands of the grantee to hunt or take the hare
and the fox or anything which to warren belonged. But in charters
made in the ordinary form no particular kinds of beasts were men-
tioned. It is abundantly clear, however, that a grant of warren did
not enable the grantee to prevent other people entering his warren in
pursuit of deer. There was a judicial decision " with regard to the
buck in Hilary term 128|. Philip of Willoughby brought an action
of trespass in the King's Bench against Thomas the warrener of the
abbot of St. Albans. He alleged that Thomas had assaulted his men
and seized his hounds and other goods. The defendant answered
that the plaintiff's men were hunting in the abbot's warren and that
' In 9 Ed. i. the prior of Eavensdale was ' Dicit quod qualiterque warennam ibidem
summoned to answer why he claimed ad presens deaduocet in predictis terns,
warren in his lands at Eavensdale. The idem prior et predecessores sui hactenus in
prior came and said that he claimed warren predictis terris suis warennam clamauerunt
neither there nor elsewhere in the county et hiis que ad warennam pertinent usi sunt
of Lincoln. Thereupon the king's attorney scilicet capiendo leporarioa uicinorum
alleged that the prior had claimed warren suorum in eisdem terris fugancium.' (Pla-
and made use of those things which per- cita de Qito Waranto, p. 391. See also
tained to warren, namely the taking of the ibid. p. 441.)
greyhounds of his neighbours hunting in - Coram Rege EoUs, 108, Eot. 3-3 d.
the lands :
h2
CXXVlll INTRODUCTION'
he took the hounds * as m the warren of his lord.' The plaintiff
replied that his men were in pursuit of a buck in their common
chase, where they and all the country could hunt the buck, and
demanded that the defendant's lord should come and claim his
warren. Afterwards a monk of the abbot came and produced a
charter which granted the abbey of St. Albans warren in all its
demesne lands in England. Nevertheless, the court declared that
the defendant should be in mercy, on the ground that the buck was
not a beast of the warren.
Et quia predictus Thomas cognouit predictam capcionem canum et canea
predicti Philippi non currerunt ad aliquam bestiam de warenna, immo ad
quemdani damnm qui non est bestia de warenna, ideo predictus Thomas sit
in misericordia.
Again, in the year 1293 William de Colleville, on being summoned '
before Hugh of Cressingham and his fellows, justices in eyre at York,
to answer by what warrant he claimed to have free warren in his
demesne lands, produced a charter from Henry HI. granting free
warren therein to a certain Robert Ingram, ancestor to William.
Thereupon Roger of Higham, on behalf of the king, sought that it
should be inquired if William was the heir of Robert. He further
objected on behalf of the king that William, under the authority of
the charter to Robert Ingram, kept large beasts such as harts and
hinds, bucks and does, and such like in defense, in the towns in
which warren was claimed, and sought that an inquiry should be
made as to this and other matters. To other charters of warren
produced at the same eyre, he raised a similar objection. From the
year 1338, however, the roe was, as explained on an earlier page,
considered to be a beast of the warren.'^
There can be little doubt that the hare was the principal beast of
the warren. Not only is it sometimes expressly mentioned in charters
of warren, but it forms the subject of by far the greater number of
' Placita de Quo Waranto, p. 203. et tenet in defense in eadem cei'uos et
' Before the decision of the king's bench bissas et cheuerellos cuiusmodi bestie ad
mentioned on p. xi above, tlie roe was un- warennam non pertinent.' (Placita de Quo
doubtedlynot considered a beast of the war- Waranto, p. 787. See also ibid. p. 789.)
ren. In a case before the king's justices at But even before the decision the
Appleby in 20 Ed. i. a respondent stated might be made a beast of the warren in a
that he did not claim free chase in certain particular place by royal charter. Thus in
lands but only free warren. The king's 12 Hen. iii. the king granted Peter fitz
attorney thereupon replied that the respon- Herbert warren in certain lands for the fox,
dent kept in defense harts, hinds and roes the hare and the roe. (Charter Roll 20,
which did not belong to warren : m. 7. See also p. xiv above, notes 3
' Et W. I. dicit pio domino rsge quod and 4.)
predictus P, usus est predicts libera chacia
THE CHASE, THE PARK AND THE WARREN CXXIX
cases of trespass which are recorded upon the plea rolls. Like the
hare, the fox is sometimes mentioned in charters of warren.^ But
although foxes do not appear to have given rise to cases of trespass,
they were undoubtedly beasts of warren. On the other hand,
although the coney is not mentioned in charters of warren, there are
cases of trespasses in warrens which show that the coney * was con-
sidered to be in the same class as the hare and the fox.
Besides beasts there were also fowls of warren. In the Year
Book ^ of 21 and 22 Ed. I. the following statement occurs :
Sire aver chase est proprement a deyms e deymes ; e aver gareyne coe
est proprement de levers e conyges e perdryz.
This must not, however, be taken as an exhaustive list either
of the beasts of the chase or of the beasts and fowls of the
warren. For example, the red deer ought to be included in
the former and the fox in the latter class. Again, the pheasant
was undoubtedly a fowl of the warren, although not mentioned
in the list. A special commission of oyer and terminer was
appointed* in April 1300 concerning a trespass committed by certain
persons who entered the free warren of Burgate, hunted in it
and carried away hares, coneys and pheasants. Other similar com-
missions ^ were appointed from time to time to hear and determine
trespasses in particular w^arrens committed by persons carrying away
the same beasts and fowls. There is also evidence of other birds
being treated as fowls of the warren.^ It is recorded on a roll of pleas
of the warren of Cambridge that di^-ers persons were wont to enter the
warren with nets and to take plovers and ' such like wild fowl.' Even
more remarkable is the fact that the lark was treated as a fowl of the
warren in the manor of Kemerton in Gloucestershire. The case ^
from which this information is derived is sufficiently interesting to
be printed in full. It occurs in an eyre of the year 15 Ed. I. :
' The mere fact that the fox is some- See also the case of trespass in Burgate
times mentioned in charters of warren is warren mentioned on this page,
not of itself proof that it was considered a ' Year Book, 21 and 22 Ed. i., Rolls
beast of warren except in the lands to Series, p. 529.
which the charters relate. The passage * Patent Roll 119, m. 22 d.
printed in note 2, p. cxxxii below shows that * Thus on 20 July 1.S14 a commission
the king's attorney in the reign of Ed. i. was appointed concerning the persons who
considered it to be a beast of the warren. entered the warrens of Queen Margaret
* Thus on 28 December 1292 justices and took away hares, coneys, pheasants
were appointed concerning a ti-espass com- and partridges. (Patent Roll 141, m. 30 d.)
mitted in Benhall warren by persons who ^ See p. 181 below,
took and carried away hares, coneys and ' Placita de Qiw W'aranto, p. 249.
partridges. (Patent Roll Hi, m.'^22 d.)
CXXX INTRODUCTION
Nicholaus de Mittone queritur de Willelmo de Bello Campo, comite
Warwik, de eo quod die Lune proxima post exaltacionem sancte crucis anno
regni regis Edwardi nunc quartodecimo, ubi idem Nicholaus possuisset
quoddam ingenium quod uocatur tonel in Kenemerton ad alaudas ' et
perdricia capienda predictus comes cepit et capere fecit predictum ingenium
iniuste, unde dicit quod deterioratus est et dampnura habet ad ualenciam
dimidie marce. Et inde profert sectam etc.
Et comes uenit et dicit quod tenet omnes terras in Kenemerton'
warennatas et quod non uidetur ei quod debet inde sine breui domini regis
respondere. Dicit insuper quod bene aduocat predictam capcionem ut in
terris suis warennatis etc.
Et Nicholaus dicit quod predicte terre de Kenemerton' non sunt
warennate ; set dicit quod ipse et feoflfatores sui semper consueuerunt
currere et fugare ibidem ut in terris communibus et non warennatis etc. Et
hoc petit quod inquiratur per patriam. Et comes similiter. Ideo fiat inde
iurata etc.
Et quia conuictum est per quamdam inquisicionem captam inter dominum
regem et predictum comitem quod predicte terre de Kenemerton' sunt
warennate et sic extiterunt a tempore quo non extat memoria ; ideo
predictus comes inde sine die. Et predictus Nicholaus in misericordia. Et
ad iudicium de predicto Nicholao de decem libris de forisfactura etc.
It will be remembered that the roe was declared to be a beast of
the warren on the ground that it drove away the other deer. The
reason for the decision and the circumstances in which it was given
suggest that the beasts of the warren were noxious animals which,
although objects of the chase, ought not to be preserved. There was a
marked distinction between the beasts of the forest and the beasts of
the warren. The former were strictly preserved by the forest laws,
while the latter were in no sense protected by the charters of warren,
which merely reserved the right of hunting in them to particular
individuals. The beasts of the forest were the king's venison ; they
were treated as his property, and described as his property. On the
other hand, the beasts of the warren were not the lord's beasts, nor
were they described as such.^ We read in the plea rolls of trespassers
' In the reign of Kichard ii. both the culis cum furettis et alio modo, necnon
lark and the quail were reckoned as fowls capiendi uel interficiendi meliori modo quo
of the warren. On 16 February 1384 the sciuerit de phasianis perdicibus pluueris
king granted a sporting licence to one of quailis alaudis et omnimodis aliis auibus
bis clerks in the following words : de wavenna in forestis chaceis parcis boscis
' Sciatis quod ob affeccionem quam ad et warennis nostris ; ac eciam . . .' (Patent
dilectum clericum nostrum N. S. gerimus Eoll 318, m. 6.)
» . . conoessimus ei ad totam uitam suam ^ In a case of trespass in a warren re-
licenciam tam fugandi et interficiendi cum corded by Mathew Paris the plaintiff refers
leporariis et aliis canibus ac cum artillariis to the hares which were taken by the
per se et suos in presencia sua de ceruis defendants as ' his hares ' : thus, ' et cepe-
bissis damis leporibus et de omni alia fera runt lepores suos in warenna sua.' The
cum canibus et arcubus fugabili ac de cuni- instance, however, is exceptional. (Chronica
THE CHASE, THE PARK A^'D THE AYARREN CXXXl
entering a warren and hunting in it without the lord's leave ; of their
taking hares in it; and of the damage which the lord suffered by the
trespass. But we do not find the hares described as the property of
the lord. The following is a typical example of the record • of a case
of trespass in a warren.
Idem lohannes et alii attachiati fuerunt ad respondendum lohanni de
Sutton' de placito quare ui et armis liberam warennam ipsius lohannis de
Sutton' apud Sutton' in Holdernesse intrauerunt et in ea sine licencia et
uoluntate eiusdem lohannis de Sutton' fugauerunt et lepores ceperunt et
asportauerunt et alia enormia etc. ad graue dampnum ipsius lohannis uiginti
librarum et unde queritur quod die Sabbati proxima ante festum Annuncia-
cionis beate Marie anno regni regis nunc tricesimo secundo ui et armig
liberam warennam ipsius lohannis apud Sutton' intrauerunt et in ea sine
licencia fugauerunt et quinque lepores ceperunt et asportauerunt ; unde
dicit quod deterioratus est et dampnum liabet ad ualenciam centum librarum
et inde sectam producit etc.
Et predicti lohannes de Gray et alii ueniunt et defendunt uim et iniuriam
quando etc. Et lohannes de Gray dicit quod in nullo est culpabilis de
transgressione predicta, et de boc ponit se super patriam.
Et predictus Robertus le Seriaunt et omnes alii dicunt quod ipsi simul
cum uxore predicti lohannis de Gray iuerunt in campis predictis in dominicis
terris suis causa ludendi cum leporariis suis. Tandem saltauit unus lepus in
dominicis suis predictis ; et leporarii sui cucurrerunt ad leporem et secuti
fuerunt etc. usque in terram predicti lohannis de Sutton', Et super hoc
uenit warennarius ipsius lohannis de Sutton et ipsos deuadiauit et uadium
adhuc tenet sine aliqua transgressione eidem lohanni de Sutton' facienda.
Et de hoc ponunt se super patriam.
Et predictus lohannes de Sutton' dicit quod predictus lohannes de Gray
et alii ui et armis warennam suam apud Sutton' intrauerunt et in ea sine
licencia etc. fugauerunt et quinque lepores ceperunt et asportauerunt sicut
superius queritur. Et hoc petit quod inquiratur. Ideo ueniat inde iurata
coram rege in crastino Purificacionis beate Marie ubicunque etc. quia
tarn etc.
The view that the beasts of the warren were noxious beasts, which
were hunted, but not preserved, is corroborated by another fact.
During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the kings af England
frequently granted to individuals the liberty to himt certain animals
in districts in which there were forests. In nearly all cases the king's
warrens and the warrens of other individuals were expressly excepted
from the districts over which the liberty was to be exercised. Thus^
Maiora, Rolls Series, vol. iv. p. 51.) See ' The case was heard in Michaehuaa
also the Year Book of 3 Hen. vi: (edition term 1.304. The reference to its enrolment
1679), Trinity Term, fo. 55, case 34. is ' Coram Rege Rolls 178, Rot, 60 cV
cxxxu iXTr;(3UUCTiON
by letters patent ^ dated 4 April 1252, Henry III. granted William
Gernun licence to hunt the hare, the fox, and the cat throughout the
forest of Essex, except in the king's demesne warrens and the warrens
of other persons. As no law prevented people from entering warrens
in pursuit of beasts which were not beasts of the warren, it may fairly
be assumed that the exceptions of the king's warren and the warrens
of other persons were made because the animals for which the
licence to hunt was given were beasts of the warren. We cannot
suppose that the king would derogate from his own grant by
conferring an exclusive right of hunting certain beasts in a particular
district upon one individual and afterwards granting liberty to
another individual to hunt the same beasts in the same district.
These licences to hunt usually referred to the fox, the hare, and the
cat,^ but occasionally other animals were mentioned. Thus, on the
25th October 1252 the king granted^ Walter Baskerville licence to
hunt the hare, the fox, the cat and the badger in the forests
of Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Essex. There
are also instances in which the wolf"* and even the squirrel^ were
included in such licences.
The fowls of the warren, on the other hand, were certainly not
noxious birds. There seems, however, to be no reason for supposing
that they consisted of a few easily enumerated species. We have
already noticed cases in which the plover and the lark were treated
as fowls of the warren. It is not improbable that all birds which
were taken by snares, hounds or hawks were considered to belong to
the same class.
The creation of every new warren lessened the opportunity which
the inhabitants of adjoining lands had enjoyed of hunting at their
pleasure. It is therefore not surprising that the large number
of charters of warren granted by Henry III. gave rise to a complaint
at the parliament of Oxford in 1258. One of the articles*^ of the
' Patent Roll 61, m. 10. canibus suis ibidem et canes illos capit.'
* There is other authoi-ity for the cat being [Placita de Quo Waranto, p. 804.)
a beast of warren. In 9 Ed. i. the bishop By a charter dated 28 April 1228, the
of Salisbury was summoned before the king granted to Roger of Clifford warren in
king's justices at Marlborough to show certain lands for the fox. the hare and the
why he claimed warren in Ramsbury. In cat. (Charter Roll 20, m. 6.)
his reply the king's attorney expressly = Patent Roll 61, m. 1.
stated tiaat the fox. the hare and the cat * See p. xiii above.
belonged to warren : ' By letters patent dated 15 January
* Et W. dicit quod predictus episcopus 125| the king granted to John of Lexington
impediuit homines patrie currere in terra licence to hunt the fox, the hare, the badger
suaapudRemmesberyadleporem uulpemet and the squirrel in the forest of Essex,
murilegum et alia que pertinent ad waren- (Patent Roll 62. m. 19.)
nam el deuadiat homineo currentes cum " .^nna^es JVfonasfici, Rolls Series, i. 440.
THE CHASE, THE PARK AND THE WARREN CXXXlii
barons' petition at that parliament is thus set out in the annals
of Burton :
Item pefcunt remedium quod foreste deafforestate per cartana regis et per
fidem eidem per communitatem totius regni factam, ita quod quisque ubique
possit fugare, dominus rex de uoluntate sua pluribus dedit de predicta
libertate warennas, que sunt ad nocumentum predicte libertatis concesse.
A few additional words are required to make the text of the
article grammatical. If these be supplied and no further emenda-
tions made it shows that the barons complained that the king had
granted warrens in the districts which had been put out of the forest
at the beginning of the reign. The barons seem to have considered
that the disafforestment of a district implied a pledge that the public
should be at liberty to hunt in it at pleasure. But it is not easy to
see why the disafforested districts should be in any better position
with respect to warrens than lands which had never been afforested.
There was certainly no legislation on the subject in consequence
of the petition, but it is possible that the king remembered the
barons' complaint when applications were made to him for new
charters of warren.
The justices of the forest were not concerned with the king's
warrens unless they happened to lie within the boundaries of a royal
forest. Nevertheless the justices in eyre for pleas of the forest, when
sitting at Huntingdon in 13 Edward L, heard pleas ' of the warren
of Cambridge, which was not subject to the forest laws. This,
however, was an exceptional case, and no pleas relating to other
warrens lying outside the forests are to be found on the forest eyre
rolls of the thirteenth century. Evidently the king's rights in such
of his warrens as were not parcel of his forests were enforced in the
ordinary courts of law. But it is a question whether all the king's
demesnes were treated as warrens or not. That he could en warren
his own property at pleasure hardly admits of doubt, seeing that he
could create a warren in the demesne lands of any of his subjects.
But he may in some cases have refrained from exercising his right ;
and it is not improbable that the right .of hunting beasts of the
warren was only reserved by the king in those demesnes where some
profit or pleasure was to be obtained by his so doing.
The Year Book of 20 and 21 Edward I. contains a note "^ in
See pp. 129-31, below.
Year Book, 20 and 21 Edw. i., Rolls Series, p. 137.
CXXXIV INTRODUCTION
which the procedure to be adopted in cases of trespass in warrens
is set out in detail. Trespassers found doing damage in warren with
bows, or found with the mainour (that is to say, in possession
of hares, coneys, or partridges), or hunting, were to be attached to
come before the justices in eyre. The latter words no doubt refer to
the justices in eyre for pleas of the crown, and not to justices in eyre
for pleas of the forest. The words of the note are as follows :
Nota ke le Key avera le forfeture de garreine, a ky ke la garreine seit,
e nent le seinur de la garreine : e sy le seinur amercye nul home pur coe
ke yl est trove en sa garreyne damage fesant, e coe seit presente par la
deseine en eyre des Justices, yl serra en la mereye le Roy ; mes sy yl trove
nul home damage fesant od son arc &c. en sa garreine, yl le fra atacher e
trover plegge de venyr devant Justice en eyre a respundre au Roy de le
forfet. E si presente seit ke serteyne persone feseient traspas en la garreine,
e ke le seynur ne les vodreit pas atacher e prendre plegge de eus, yl sera
amercye, e nent les autres ke feseient le tort. E nota ke yl ne put atacher
le cors sy yl ne seit trove od meineure coe est saver od leverere, ou conis,
partreiz, &c. ou en querant, &c. Sed quaere sy yl porra prendre ses leverres
sy eus seient en sa garreyne erranz saunz coe ke yl eient ren pris. Si pount,
e prendre plegges a respundre en Eyre des Justices.
But this note, written as it is in the leaves of a Year Book, and not
found elsewhere, must be read with suspicion. If it represent the law
of the land, and not merely the law as a reporter or advocate thought
it ought to be, then the law cannot have been enforced rigorously.
There is abundant evidence ^ that lords used to impound the grey-
hounds of those who trespassed in their warrens. They had recourse
to a remedy which was inconsistent with the law as stated in the
Year Book, and apparently without any protest or interference on
the part of the king or his ministers.
' See pp. cxxvi and cxxvii, above.
THE CHARTER OF THE FOREST OF NOVEMBER 1217 CXXXV
APPENDIX I.
THE CHARTER OF THE FOREST OF NOVEMBER 1217,
Henbicus Dei gratia rex Anglie, dominus Hibernie, dux Nomiannie,
Aquitanie et comes Andegauie, archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus,
comitibus, baronibus, iusticiariis, forestariia, uicecomitibus, prepositis,
ministris, et omnibus balliuis et fidelibus suis, salutem. Sciatis quod,
intuitu Dei et pro salute anime nostre et animarum antecessorum et
successorum nostrorum, ad exaltacionem sancte Ecclesie et emendacionem
regni nostri, concessimus et hac presenti carta confirmauimus pro nobis et
heredibus nostris inperpetuum, de consilio uenerabilis patris nostri domini
Gualouis tituli sancti Martini presbiteri cardinalis et apostolice sedis legati,
domini Walteri Eboracensis arcliiepiscopi, Willelmi Londoniensis episcopi,
et aliorum episcoporum Anglie, et Willelmi Marescalli comitis Penbrocie,
rectoris nostri et regni nostri, et aliorum fidelium comitum et baronum
nostrorum Anglie, has libertates subscriptas tenendas in regno nostro
Anglie, in perpetuura :
1. Inprimis omnes foreste, quas Henricus rex auus noster afforestauit,
uideantur per bonos et legales homines ; et si boscum aliquem alium quam
suum dominicum afforestauerit ad dampnum illius cuius boscus fuerit,
deaflforestentur. Et si boscum suum proprium afforestauerit, remaneat
foresta, salua communa de herbagio et aliis in eadem foresta illis qui earn
prius habere consueuerunt.
2. Homines qui manent extra forestam non ueniant decetero coram
iusticiariis nostris de foresta per communes summoniciones, nisi sint in
placito, uel plegii alicuius uel aliquorum qui attachiati sunt propter forestam.
3. Omnes autem bosci qui fuerunt afforestati per regem Ricardum
auunculum nostrum, uel per regem lohannem patrem nostrum usque ad
primam coronacionem nostram, statim deafforestentur, nisi fuerit dominicus
boscus noster.
4. Archiepiscopi, episcopi, abbates, priores, comites et barones et milites
et libere tenentes, qui boscos suos habent in forestis, habeant boscos suos
sicut eos habuerunt tempore prime coronacionis predict! regis Henrici aui
nostri, ita quod quieti sint inperpetuum de omnibus purpresturis, uastis et
assartis factis in illis boscis, post illud tempus usque ad principium secundi
anni coronacionis nostre. Et qui de cetero uastum, purpresturam, uel
assartum sine licencia nostra in illis fecerint, de uastis et assartis
respondeant.
CXXXvi INTRODUCTION— APPENDIX I.
5. Reguardores nostri eant per forestas ad faciendum reguardum sicut
fieri consueuit tempore prime coronacionis predicti regis Henrici aui nostri,
et non aliter.
6. Inquisicio, uel uisus de expeditacione canum existencium in foresta,
decetero fiat quando debet fieri reguardum, scilicet de tercio anno in tercium
annum ; et tunc fiat per uisum et testimonium legalium hominum et non
aliter. Et ille, cuius canis inuentus fuerit tunc non expeditatus, det pro
misericordia tres solidos ; et de cetero nullus bos capiatur pro expeditacione.
Talis autem sit expeditacio per assisam communiter quod tres ortilli
abscidantur sine pelota de pede anteriori ; nee expeditentur canes de cetero,
nisi in locis ubi consueuerunt expeditari tempore prime coronacionis regis
Henrici aui nostri.
7. Nullus forestarius uel bedellus de cetero faciat scotale, uel colligat
garbas, uel auenam, uel bladum aliud, uel agnos, uel porcellos, nee aliquam
collectam faciant ; et per uisum et sacramentum duodecim reguardorum
quando facient reguardum, tot forestarii ponantur ad forestas custodiendas,
quod ad illas custodiendas racionabiliter uiderint sufiicere.
8. Nullum suanimotum de cetero teneatur in regno nostro nisi ter in
anno ; uidelicet in principio quindecim dierum ante festum sancti Michaelis,
quando agistatores conneniunt ad agistandum dominicos boscos nostros ; et
circa festum sancti Martini quando agistatores nostri debent recipere
pannagium nostrum ; et ad ista duo suanimota conueniant forestarii,
uiridarii, et agistatores et nullus alius per districcionem ; et tercium suani-
motum teneatur in inicio quindecim dierum ante festum sancti lohannis
Baptiste, pro feonacione bestiarum nostrarum ; et ad istud suanimotum
tenendum conueniant forestarii et uiridarii et nulli alii per districcionem.
Et preterea singulis quadraginta diebus per totum annum conueniant
uiridarii et forestarii ad uidendum attacliiamenta de foresta, tarn de uiridi,
quam de uenacione, per presentacionem ipsorum forestariorum, et coram
ipsis attachiatis. Predicta autem suanimota non teneantur nisi in comitatibus
in quibus teneri consueuerunt.
9. Unusquisque liber homo agistet boscum suum in foresta pro uoluntate
sua et habeat pannagium suum. Concedimus eciam quod unusquisque liber
homo possit ducere porcos suos per dominicum boscum nostrum, libere et
sine inpedimento, ad agistandum eos in boscis suis propriis, uel alibi ubi
uoluerit. Et si porci alicuius liberi hominis una nocte pernoctauerint in
foresta nostra, non inde occasionetur ita quod aliquid de suo perdat.
10. Nullus de cetero amittat uitam uel menbra pro uenacione
nostra ; set, si aliquis captus fuerit et convictus de capcione uenacionis,
grauiter redimatur, si habeat unde redimi possit ; et si non habeat unde
redimi possit, iaceat in prisona nostra per unum annum et unum diem ;
et, si post unum annum et unum diem plegios inuenire possit, exeat a
prisona ; sin autem, abiuret regnum Anglie.
11. Quicunque archiepiscopus, episcopus, comes uel baro transierit per
forestam nostram, liceat ei capere unam uel duas bestias per uisum forestarii,
si presens fuerit ; sin autem, faciat cornari, ne uideatur furtiue hoc facere.
THE CHARTER OF THE FOREST OF NOVEMBER 1217 CXXXvii
12. Unusquisque liber homo decetero sine occasione faciat in bosco suo,
uel in terra sua quam habeat in foresta, molendinum, uiuarium, stagnum,
niarleram, fossatum, uel terram arabilem extra cooperatuna in terra arabili,
ita quod non sit ad nocumentum alicuius uicini.
18. Unusquisque liber homo habeat in boscis suis aereas anciptum et
speruariorum et falconum, aquilarum, et de heyrinis, et habeat similiter mel
quod inuentum fuerit in boscis suis.
14. Nullus forestarius de cetero, qui non sit forestarius de feudo reddens
nobis firmam pro balliua sua, capiat chiminagiura aliquod in balliua sua ;
forestarius autera de feudo firmam nobis reddens pro balliua sua capiat
chiminagium, uidelicet, pro careta per dimidium annum duos denarios, et per
alium dimidium annum duos denarios, et pro equo qui portat sumagium per
dimidium annum unum obolum, et per alium dimidium annum obolum, efc
non nisi de illis qui de extra balliuam suam, tanquam mercatores, ueniunt
per hcenciam suam in balliuam suam ad buscam, meremum, corticem uel
carbonera emendum, et alias ducendum ad uendendum ubi uoluerint ; et de
nulla alia careta uel sumagio aliquod chiminagium capiatur ; et non capiatur
chiminagium nisi in locis illis ubi antiquitus capi solebat et debuit. Illi
autem qui portant super dorsum suum buscam, corticem, uel carbonem, ad
uendendum, quamuis inde uiuant, nullum de cetero dent chiminagium.
De boscis autem aliorum nullum detur chiminagium foristariis nostris,
preterquam de dominicis boscis nostris.
15. Omnes utlagati pro foresta tantum a tempore regis Henrici aui nostri
usque ad primam coronacionem nostram ueniant ad pacem nostram sine
inpedimento et saluos plegios inueniant quod de cetero non forisfaciant nobis
de foresta nostra.
16. Nullus castellanus uel alius teneat placita de foresta siue de uiridi
sine de uenacione, sed quilibet forestarius de feudo attachiet placita de
foresta tarn de uiridi quam de uenacione, et ea presentet uiridariis
prouinciarum ; et, cum irrotulata fuerint et sub sigillis uiridariorum inclusa,
presententur capitali forestario cum in partes illas uenerit ad tenendum
placita foreste et coram eo terminentur.
17. Has autem libertates de forestis concessimus omnibus, saluis,
archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, comitibus, baronibus, militibus
et aliis tam personis ecclesiasticis quam secularibus, Templariis et Hospita-
lariis, libertatibus et liberis consuetudinibus in forestis et extra, in warenniis
et aliis, quas prius habuerunt. Omnes autem istas consuetudines predictas
et libertates, quas concessimus in regno nostro tenendas quantum ad nos
pertinet erga nostros, omnes de regno nostro tam clerici quam laici obseruent
quantum ad se pertinet erga suos. Quia uero sigillum nondum habuimus,
presentem cartam sigillis uenerabilis patris nostri domini Gualonis tituli
Sancti Martini presbiteri cardinalis, apostolice sedis legati, et Willelmi
Marescalli comitis Penbrok, rectoris nostri et regni nostri, fecimus sigillari.
Testibus prenominatis et aliis multis. Data per manus predictorum domini
legati et Willelmi Marescalli apud Sanctum Paulum Londonie, sexto die
Novembris, anno regni nostri secundo.
CXXXVlll INTRODUCTION— APPENDIX II.
APPENDIX II.
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
The Forests, — In the reign of John, the chief barons of the realm
were considered to have a certain interest in the royal forests. This
is apparent from the following entry ^ on the roll of letters close of the
eighth year of his reign :
Rex Brieno de Insula etc. Sciatis quod bene uolumus quod capitales
barones nostri, unde nobis mandasti, transeuntes per balliuam uestram feras
capiant, set ita quod sciatis qui illi fuerint et quid capiant et quantum, quia
non habemus forestas et bestias nostras ad opus nostrum tantum, set eciam
ad opus fidelium nostrorum, set bene illas custodire faciatis propter latrones
quia bestie magis expauent per latrones quam per predictos barones. . . .
Teste me ipso apud Wudestok' undecimo die lunii.
The right of the barons to take deer on passing through the forests
was admitted by the Charter of Forest of 1217.
The Assize of the Forest. — It seems probable that the words ' assize
of the forest ' meant merely the well-established custom of the forest.
In a writ^ dated 31 December 1222 the king stated that according to
the assize of the forest verderers ought not to be put in assizes, juries
or recognitions. In another writ,^ dated 2 October 1224, he stated
that according to the law and custom of the forest verderers ought not
to be put therein.
The Justices of the Forest. — In the reign of Edward II. the justices
of the forest became known as chief wardens. The change is explained
by the following words in the New Ordinances* of the year 1311 :
Et desormes soit escritaeux com as chiefs gardeins de la forest, T^ur ce qe
lustices ne deiuent il estre, ne record auoir torsque en Eyre.
The Foresters. — Where the working foresters were not paid by the
wardens they were said to live upon the country. In 7 Edward I.
the following statement was made at an inquisition ^ concerning
Gillingham forest :
Et sciendum est quod in predicta foresta consueuerunt esse forestarii,
BciUcet, unus de feodo propriis sumptibus suis, et adhuc est ; et unus
' Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum, i. 85. * Statutes of the Realm, i. 161.
* Ibid. 527 b. * For. Proc, Anc. Cluinc., No. 101,
• Ibid. 648. Boll 5.
ADDITIONAL NOTES CXXXix
forestarius eques et duo forestai'ii pedes sumptibus domini regis usque ad
ultimam itineracionem lohannis Byset, iuaticiarii domini Henrici regis patris
domini Edwardi qui nunc est de foresta. Et post dictam itineracionem
uixerunt et adhuc uiuunt super patriam, et colligunt blada et garbas et alia ;
et faciunt tabernas contra cartam de libertatibus foreste.
It is clear that it was to the advantage of the inhabitants of a
forest to have foresters in fee among them. For they usually received
certain rights and profits with their bailiwicks, and so had means of
living upon the king instead of upon the country. In the first year
of John the knights of Staffordshire gave the king forty marks and a
palfrey for having their liberties of the forest as they had them in the
time of Henry II., so that other foresters might not be put there,
unless they were enfeoffed of their bailiwicks.^
Eyre Rolls. — There are no eyre rolls at the Public Record Office
of an earlier date than 39 Hen. III., except a few fragments of rolls
of the year 10 John, most of which are printed in this volume. It
will be noticed that the nature and style of the rolls of the reign of
John are different from those of the reign of Henry III.
Park. — In the tract known as ' I^a Court de Baron,' there is a
precedent ^ of a case of chasing beasts in the lord's park. In his
' count ' the parker alleged that the trespass was made in a franchise
which the lord had from the king, to wit, of having the park for his
own proper warren as was contained in the charter which he had
from the king, whereby it was forbidden on pain of forfeiture of lOL
that any should enter to chase or take beasts unless by the lord's
leave. These words suggest that it was usual for the king to grant
charters of imparkment with a penal clause similar to the one
invariably inserted in charters of warren. The Charter Rolls show
that this was not the case, and it is therefore probable that the words
which are the subject of this note, if they are part of the tract as
originally written, are erroneous.
Warren. — In an unprinted Year Book, which will be published in
due course by the Selden Society, there is a case which seems to
show that in the reign of Edward II., the lord might amerce tres-
passers in his warren, provided that the amount of the amercement
did not exceed the value of the beast taken by the trespasser. The
case is one which was heard in the Kent eyre for pleas of the crown
and common pleas in 6 Ed. II.
' Rotuli de Ohlatis, p. 65.
^ Publications of the Selden Society, vol. iv. p. 33.
SELECT PLEAS OF THE FOREST
I.l
PLACITA FOPiESTE PLACITATA APUD NOEHAMTON' DIE ^
VENEEIS PROXIMA ANTE FESTUM SANCTI MATHIE
APOSTOLI ANNO EEGNI EEGIS lOHANNIS DECIMO.
Ttlag'.
Coram vege.
Eobertus de Acle in misericordia quia noii habuit Godwinum
forestarium suum quern plegiauit ; et habeat eum die crastina.
Elia de Karleton' [et Aluredus de Dingel' ^] in misericordia quia
non habuerunt capud cerui eis ^ commissum ; et habeat die crastina.
Eobertus de Eiston' et tethinga Eicardi fratris sui in misericordia
pro fuga predicti Eicardi. Catalla ipsias Eicardi quinque solidi, vnde
Eogerus de Neuill' debet respondere.
Thethinga Henrici Trenchenote de Eiston' in misericordia pro
fuga ipsius Henrici ; precium catallorum tres solidi sex denarii, vnde
idem Eogerus debet respondere. Idem Henricus est interrogandus.
Thethinga Wioti [et Eicardi Sprang hominis Eicardi fratris
Eoberti de Eiston] ' in misericordia pro fuga ipsius Wioti. Non habuit
catalla ; et est interrogandus.
Francoplegii Willelmi Warin' hominis lohannis Basset in miseri-
cordia pro fuga ipsius Willelmi.
Vicecomes debet respondere die crastina de predictis Eicardo,
Henrico, Eicardo Sprang et Wiot si fuerint vtlagati. Et vicecomes
dicit ^ quod vtlagati sunt.^
Eogerus Grim messarius abbatis de Burgo captus fuit sequendo
' Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Re-
ceipt, Ko. 6'2. There is also at the JPublic
Record Office an official transcript of this
roll which was made towards the close of
the thirteenth century. The reference to
it is Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Re-
ceipt, No. 2i9, Rot. 16. ■' 20 February 1205.
'■' The words in brackets are cancelled
in the original roll and omitted in the tran-
script,
■* The last letter of this word has been
erased in the original roll. It is omitted
in the transcript.
* The words in brackets are interlined
in the original roll and omitted in the
transcript.
•* This word is repeated in the original roll.
' The following entry is here written
in the original roll and cancelled. It is
omitted entirely in the transcript. ' Rogerus
Grim messarius abbatis de Burgo traditus
fuit in custodia Gaufridi Gilbewin' ut
senescalli abbatis, qui non habuit eum
coram iusticiariis ; et ideo est in miseri-
cordia ; et habeat eum ad alium diem, ita
recordatur comitatus.'
I.
PLEAS OF THE FOREST PLEADED AT NORTHAMPTON
ON THE FRIDAY 2 NEXT BEFORE THE FEAST OF SAINT
MATHIAS THE APOSTLE IN THE TENTH YEAR OF THE
REIGN OF KING JOHN.
Robert of Oakley is in merc}^ because he had not Godwin his
forester, whom he pledged ; and let him have him to-morrow.
Elias of Carlton is in mercy because he had not the hart's head
which was entrusted to him ; and let him have it to-morrow.
Robert of Rushton and the tithing of Richard his brother are in
mercy for the flight of the aforesaid Richard. The chattels of the
same Richard are five shillings, wherefor Roger de Neville must answer.
The tithing of Henry Trenchnot of Rushton is in mercy for the
flight of the same Henry ; the price of his chattels was three shillings
and sixpence, wherefor the same Roger must answer. The same
Henry is to be exacted.
The tithing of Wiot is in mercy for the flight of the same Wiot.
He had no chattels ; and he is to be exacted ; and similarly the
tithing of Richard Sprang the man of Richard the brother of Robert
of Rushton.
The frankpledges of William Warin the man of John Basset are
in mercy for the flight of the same William.
The sheriff must answer to-morrow as to the aforesaid Richard,
Henry, Richard Sprang and Wiot, if they were outlawed. And the
sheriff says they were outlawed.
Roger Grim, the reaper of the abbot of Peterborough, was taken
B 2
>ELKCTI()XS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
Beriiek'
prison'.
cum canibus quatiior bissas. Et traditus fuit in custodia magistri
Gaufridi Gilbewin' ut senescalli abbatis de Burgo. Et non habuit
ilium coram iusticiariis. Judicium comitatus quod idem Gaufridus
Gilbewin' sit in misericordia quia non habuit predictum Eogerum ; et
remaneat in prisona ; et liberatur vicecomiti custodiendus.
Simon Yicor de Norhamton' in misericordia pro stultiloquio.
Terra Petri Tanet scilicet sex acre, quas habuit de capellano de Yfford'
saisiatur in manu regis.
Idem Petrus et Piicardus Gerewold' interrogandi sunt, qui visi
fuerunt in foresta cum arcubus et sagittis in bersa. Non habuerunt
catalla. Et preceptum est vicecomiti quod illos exigat secundum
assisam in comitatu ; et si non uenerint vtlagantur.^
Eobertus de Yfford' clericus et villata comuniter - in misericordia
pro fuga predictorum Petri et Eicardi.
De villata de Witering' tres solidi quia non habuerunt quod
plegiauerunt.
Samuel filius lacobi de Norhamt' inueniat plegios habendi waran-
tum suum de vno damo quem habuit apud Bernak' die Yeneris ^ prox-
ima ante mediam quadragesimam. Plegius eius Samuel filius Deodati.
Willelmus filius Simonis de Barton' liberatur in prisona quia
conuictus fuit quod falso et per odium imposuit super Stephanum de
Pinu clericum quod in domo sua debuerat commedisse duos feones
vnde respondebit de catallis suis apud Bernek'.
Eobertus del Toe in misericordia quia non habuit viginti solidos
de precio trium equorum, quod plegiauit, qui fuerunt Gaufridi persone
de Quappelad' ; et respondebit de predietis viginti solidis.*
Eobertus de Neuill' clericus respondebit de precio trium equorum
Petri de Paris clerici, scilicet, de tribus marcis pro arcu inuento in
societate ipsius Petri.
Adam de Crumle in misericordia quia non habuit Eadulfum filium
Simonis de Nona Landa in Wirecestresir' coram iusticiariis, qui
tulit arcum cum corda et vna sagitta barbata et vna bulsone.
Et habeat eum ad alia placita. Postea finem fecit pro quietancia
pleuine.
Eadulfus filius Hugonis de Chaucumb' et Hugo de Bereford' in
misericordia quia non habuerunt Walterum de Ringesdun', quem
' ' Vtlagentur ' is intended.
* The true reading of this word is doubt-
ful. It is entirely omitted in the transcript.
The word ' comuniter ' is similarly used in
'1 he Great Roll of the Pijje of 1 Ric. I. pub-
lished by the Eecord Commissioners in
1844, at p. 184.
^ 6 March 120|.
^ Geoffrey's horses had been forfeited to
the king and sold. The purchase money
was then handed over to Robert del Toe to
be produced at the next eyre.
NOETIIAMPTONSinr.E EYRE, A.D. 1209 2
as he followed with his dogs four hinds. And he was delivered into
the custody of master Geoffrey Gilbewin as the steward of the abbot
of Peterborough ; and he had him not before the justices. Judgment
of the county : — that the same Geoffrey be in mercy because he had
not the aforesaid Eoger ; and that he remain in prison, and he is
delivered to the sheriff in custody.
Simon Vicor of Northampton is in mercy for contemptuous
speech.
Let the land of Peter Tanet, to wit, the six acres which he had of
the chaplain of Ufford, be seized into the king's hands.
The same Peter and Kichard Gere wold are to be exacted. They
were seen in the forest with bows and arrows within an enclosure.
They had no chattels. And the sheriff is ordered that he exact them
according to the assize in the county ; and if they do not come, let
them be outlawed.
Robert of Ufford, clerk, and his whole township are in mercy for
the flight of the aforesaid Peter and Ptichard.
Of the township of Wittering three shillings, because they had not
what they pledged.
Let Samuel the son of -James of Northampton find pledges of
having his warrant of one buck, which he had at Barnack, on the
Friday ^ next before the middle of Lent. His pledge is Samuel the
son of Deudon.
William the son of Simon of Barton is delivered into custody,
because it was proved that falsely and through hatred he imputed to
Stephen de Pin, clerk, that he had feasted upon two fawns, wherefor
he will answer with his chattels at Barnack.
Piobert del Toe is in mercy because he had not twenty shillings,
the price which he pledged of three horses which were the property of
Geoffrey the parson of Whaplode. And he will answer for the twenty
shillings aforesaid.
Piobert de Neville, clerk, will answer for the price of three horses
of Peter de Paris, clerk, that is to say for three marks for a bow found
in the company of the same Peter.
Adam of Crumlegh is in mercy because he had not before the
justices Ralph the son of Simon of Newland in Worcestershire, who
carried a bow with a string and a barbed arrow and a bolt. And
let him have him at the next pleas.
Afterwards he made fine for an acquittance from his suretyship.
Ralph the son of Plugh of Chalcombe and Hugh of Bar ford are in
mercy because they had not Walter of Ringsdon, whom thoy pledged,
3 SELECTIONS FEOM THE FOREST EYEE ROLLS
plegiaueriint, captum cum areu et corcla in foresta. Et dictum est
quod mortuus est. lohannes filius Gerard' et Willelmus de Chau-
cumb' in misericordia quia fecerunt se plegios predicti Walteri et
non fuerunt.
fordil! Villata de Neweton' comuniter ' in misericordia pro fuga Ricardi
Gelee messarii sui retati de damo bersato in curto bosco de Nassinton
pro quo Henricus filius Benselin' de Neweton' captus fuit.
memoran- Forestarii inuenerunt in bosco de Nassinton' vnam damam
aum.
habentem gorgiam abscisam et prope inde inuenerunt Henricum
filium Bence latentem sub quodam bussone ; et ipsum ceperunt et
in prisonam posuerunt. Idem venit coram iustieiariis et defendit quod
de dama ilia nunquam aliquid sciuit, nisi tantum quod ibat in bosco
illo ad querendum equm suum. Forestarii ilium ceperunt et duxerunt
usque ad damam ^ illam. Forestarii et viridarii, requisiti si ipse
culpabilis sit inde uel non, dicunt quod non credunt quod ipse
culpabilis sit, set credunt melius quod Eicardus Gelee messarius de
Neweton' sit inde culpabilis quoniam fugiit quamcito audiuit quod
predictus Henricus captus fuit. Et quoniam ipse Henricus cruce
signatus fuit et non malecreditur et diu iacuit in carcere, concessum
peregrina- est ei quod ipse faciat peregrinacionem suam. Et moueat ante
Pentecosten, et si redierit et possit plegios inuenire de fidelitate,
maneat in foresta.
moituusin Thomas Inkel, forestarius de Cliue, inuenit in bosco de Siberton'
prisona. . . . . „ ...
quandam placiam sangumolentam ; et traciauit ^ sangumem m niue
usque domum Radulfi Eed de Siberton' et statim mandauit viridarios
et probos homines. Cercliiauerunt domum suam et in ea inuenerunt
carnem cuiusdam dame et ipsum Eadulfum ceperunt et posuerunt in
prisona apud Norliamt', in qua obiit, set ante obitum suum quando
fuit in prisona appellauit Eobertum Sturdi de Siberton' et Rogerum
Tocke de eadem quod simul cum eo fuerunt malefactores de foresta.
Et forestarii et viridarii scrutati sunt domum predicti Eoberti, et in
ea inuenerunt ossamenta ferarum et ipsum ceperunt et in prisona
miserunt. Et in domo Eogeri Tocke inuenerunt aures et ossamenta
ferarum. Et idem captus fuit et inprisonatus. Eobertus Sturdi
uenit coram iustieiariis et dicit quod canes Walteri de Preston'
solebant iacere in domo sua. Yenacionem manducauerunt uenatores
[eras] r!e sui vudc ilia ossauieuta fuerunt et inde uocat warantum iiredictum
Walterum, et habeat eum die crastina. Venit Walterus et warantizat
' See p. 2, n. 2. entry the same beast is described as a buck.
- In place of this and the following word ' This word is so written in the tran-
bolh texts have ' domum ilium,' which script. In the original roll it might be
seems to be a clerical error. lathe previous read as ' trazauit.'
waianto.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.I). 1209 3
who was taken with a bow and a string in the forest. And it is said
that he is dead. John the son of Gerard and Wilham of Chalcombe
are in mercy because they represented themselves to be pledges of
the aforesaid Walter ; and they were not.
The whole township of Newton is in mercy for the flight of
Richard Gelee, their reaper, who was accused of a buck shot in the
short wood of Nassington, for which Henry the son of Benselin of
Newton was taken.
The foresters found in the wood of Nassington a doe with its
throat cut, and hard by they found Henry the son of Benselin lying
under a certain bush. And they took him and put him in prison.
He comes before the justices and denies that he ever knew anything
of that doe, except only that he went into that wood to seek his horse.
The foresters took him and led him to that doe. The foresters and
verderers, being asked if he were guilty thereof or not, say that they
do not think that he was guilty, but they believe rather that Eichard
Gelee the reaper of Newton is guilty thereof, because he fled as soon
as he heard that the aforesaid Henry was taken. And because Henry
himself has taken the cross, and is not suspected, and has lain for a
long time in prison, it is granted to him that he may make his
pilgrimage ; and let him start before Whitsunday ; and if he return,
and can find pledges of his fealty, let him remain in the forest.
Thomas Inkel, forester of Cliffe, found in the wood of Siberton a
certain place wet with blood, and he traced the blood in the snow as
far as the house of Ealph Red of Siberton ; and forthwith he sent
for the verderers and good men. They searched his house, and
in it they found the flesh of a certain doe ; and they took Ralph
himself and put him in prison at Northampton, where he died. But
before his death, when he was in prison, he appealed Robert Sturdi
of Siberton and Roger Tock of the same town, because they were
evil doers to the forest together with him. And the foresters and
verderers searched the house of the aforesaid Robert, and in it
found the bones of deer; and they took him and sent him to
prison. And in the house of Roger Tock they found ears and bones
of wild beasts. And he was taken and imprisoned. Robert Sturdi
comes before the justices and says that the dogs of Walter of Preston
used to be kenneled at his house. Walter's hunters ate the
venison whence came the bones ; and Robert vouches the aforesaid
Walter to warranty of this ; and let him have him to-morrow..
extra
forestam
4 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
eum dicens quod canes sui iacuerunt in domo eius per qiiindecim dies
dum currebant ad damos.
maneat Predictus Eogerus Tocke uenit coram iusticiariis et totum defendit.
Et viridarii et forestarii testantur quod aures et ossamenta inuenta
in domo sua fuerunt debestiis quos venatores W. de Preston' eeperunt.
Et quoniam idem Eogerus diu iacuit in prisona ita quod fere mortuus
est, adiudicatum est quod eat quietus ; et maneat extra forestam.
Willelmus filius Piadulfi de Weston' in misericordia pro falsa
presentacione.
Piobertus de Hale et Willelmus de Suwic' viridarii in misericordia
quia non habuerunt ossamenta eis commissa.
Piicardus Engan' ponit se in misericordia ante indicium pro dicto
suo.
Eieardus filius Wlllelmi de Baseuill' de Ketene captus fuit in
parco de Cliue, ferens vnam cutem dami recentem, per Gaufridum
hominem Eogeri Blundi, cui cognouit, ut idem G. dicit, quod corium
illud inuenit ; et ductus fuit apud Eokingeh' et inprisonatus. Et
idem Eieardus uenit coram iusticiariis et dicit quod corium illud
emit apud Kenebauton' de quodam garcione ignoto ; et mittitur
apud Eokingeh' in prisona ad inquirendum ad placita de Eoteland die
Lune ^ proxima ante mediam quadragesimam apud Otham'. Postea
finiuit per viginti solidos ut quietus sit [quin]'^ inquisi[tum sit]
quod illud corium emit apud Kenebalton', Mauricio de Andel' plegio
denariorum.
Quidam ceruus inuentus fuit mortuus in curia Willelmi de Trum-
pinton' uulneratus, quem Baldewinus propositus eiusdem Willelmi
custodiuit [in]- Asseby. Et habuit vnam perticham fractam usque
ad cerebrum. Et quatuor villate propinquiores summonite, requisite
nicbil sciunt dicere de [facto] ^ illo. Et quia perticha fracta fuit
usque ad cerebrum, creditur quod per Willelmum magis quam per
alios interfectus erat ; et ideo [seisita est villa] ta- in manu regis et
inquiratur.
Capud cuiusdam cerui recens inuentum fuit in bosco Henrici de
Alneto apud Maideford' per forestarios regis. Et forestarius predicti
Henrici mortuus est. Et quia nichil potest inquiri de ceruo illo, pre-
ceptum est quod tota predicta uilla de Maideford' saisita sit in manu
regis cum bosco pertinente [ad]'^ eandem uillam desicut predictus
Henricus nichil scit de ceruo illo certificare.
2 March 120^. are taken I'rom the transcript, the original
^Vords and letters in square brackets roll beinj; damaged.
NORTIIAMPTONSIllRE EYRE, A.D. 1209 4
Walter comes and warrants hira, saying that his clogs were kenneled
in his house for fifteen days while he was hunting bucks.
The aforesaid Eoger Tock comes before the justices and denies
everything. And the verderers and foresters witness that the ears
and bones found in his house were those of beasts which the hunters
of Walter of Preston took. And because Eoger lay for a long time in
prison, so that he is nearly dead it is adjudged that he go quit ; and
let him dwell outside the forest.
William the son of Ealph of Weston is in mercy for a false pre-
sentment.
Eobert of Hale and William of South wick, the verderers, are in
mercy because they had not the bones which were entrusted to them.
Eichard Engayn puts himself in mercy before judgment for his
statement.
Eichard the son of William de Baseville of Ketton was taken in
the park of Cliffe, carrying one fresh skin of a buck, by Geoffrey the
man of Eoger Blund, to whom he confessed, as the same Geoffrey
says, that he found that skin. And he was taken to Eockingham and
imprisoned. And Eichard comes before the justices and says that he
bought that skin at Kimbolton from a certain unknown boy. And
he is sent to prison at Eockingham for inquiries to be made at the
pleas of Eutland on the Monday ' next before Mid-Lent at Oakham.
Afterwards he made fine by twenty shillings that he might be quit of
the inquiry whether he bought that skin at Kimbolton, Maurice
Daundelay being pledge of his pence.
A certain hart was found dead and wounded in the court of
William of Trumpington, of which Baldwin the reeve of the same
William took charge in Ashby. And it had one antler fractured as
far as the brain. And four neighbouring townships being sum-
moned and questioned say they know nothing of the deed. And
because the antler was fractured as far as the brain, it is believed
that it was killed by William rather than by any other person ; and
therefore let his township be seized into the king's hand, and let
inquiry be made.
The head of a hart recently dead was found in the wood of Henry
Dawney at Maidford by the king's foresters. And the forester of the
aforesaid Henry is dead. And because nothing can be ascertained
of that hart, it is ordered that the whole of the aforesaid town of
Maidford be seized into the king's hand with the wood belonging to
the same town, on the ground that the aforesaid Henry can certify
nothing of that hart.
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
inter-
rogand'.
Villata de Merston' Prioris de Weneloc in Warwiksir' in miseri-
cordia quia non leuauerunt clamorem super malefactores regis, scilicet,
super Elyam Hor[stail]^ de eadem et Eandulfum le Meser de
Herdewik'. Uisi fuerunt ab hominibus de Botintnn', ubi occiderunt
vnam bissam in campo de Botintun'. Et fugernnt et euaserunt de
hominibus illis. Et interrogandi sunt per comitatum.
Eobertus Walen' seruiens comitis de Wint' in Bukebi in miseri-
cordia quia non habuit coram iusticiariis duos brachettos comitis
tesantes vnum ceruum usque in forestam, quos recepit habendi ^
coram iusticiariis et non habuit.
Villata de Snokescumb' in misericordia comuniter, quia fecerunt
Nicholaum messarium, qui fugitiuus est. Et captus fuit et inprisona-
tus ; et postea euasit de prisona ; [et interrogandus ^ per comi-
tatum].
Thomas filius Eustach' et Thomas de Albo Monasterio in miseri-
cordia, quia portauerunt arcus et sagittas in foresta regis sine
licencia ; et monstrandum est regi.
Henricus de Stauerton' in misericordia quia conuictus est de
mendacio.
Canes comitis Dauid capti fuerunt in foresta super vnum damum
per forestarium. Et per dictum forestarium dimissus sub pleuina
Willelmo Grimbald' et Simoni de Hocton' habendi coram iusticiariis.
Willelmus venit et defendit pleuinam illam. Et ideo adiudicatum
est ei vt defendat se secundum assisam foreste. Et Simon
veniet eras. Postea uenit predictus Willelmus Grimbald' coram
iusticiariis et posuit se in misericordia.
Villata de Brechol' in misericordia quia non habuerunt quern
plegiauerunt.
Eadulphus Neirnut de Threwelton' * in misericordia quia balista et
arcus inuenta fuerunt in domo sua sine waranto.
Eogerus Wandard in misericordia pro leporaria liabita contra
assisam.
Hii sunt qui fuerunt ad retinendum Willelmum ■' viridarium apud
Norhamt', Johannes Samson propositus Norhamt', Petrus Preston',
Emeraud *^ Destreis, Willelmus filius Pagan', Gaufridus Euffus
de Farding, Eestwald Ca.
' Words and letters in square brackets
are taken from the transcript, the original
roll being damaged.
- This word is so extended in both texts.
^ The reading in the transcript is ' in-
terrogat,' which is probably an error.
^ This word is clearly written in both
texts, but perhaps Chrewelton' is in-
tended.
^ This is probably the William of South-
wick mentioned on p. 4.
* The reading of this name is doubtful.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1209 5
The prior of Wenlock's township of Marston in Warwickshire is
in mercy because they did not raise the hue and cry on evil doers to
the king, that is to say upon EKas Horstail of the same town and
Ranulph the reaper of Hardwick. They were seen by the men of
Bodington, where they killed a hind in the field of Bodington ; and
they fled and escaped from those men ; and they are to be exacted
by the county.
Eobert the Welshman the servant of the earl of Winchester in
Buckby is in mercy because he had not before the justices two
braches of the earl which worried a hart into the forest ; and he
received them to have before the justices ; and he -had them not.
The whole township of Snorscomb is in mercy because they
made Nicholas, who is a fugitive, their reaper. And he was taken
and imprisoned ; and afterwards escaped from prison. And he is to
be exacted by the county.
Thomas the son of Eustace and Thomas of Oswestry are in
mercy because they carried bows and arrows in the king's forest with-
out licence ; and the matter must be shown to the king.
Henry of Staverton is in mercy because he is convicted of false-
hood.
The dogs of Earl David were taken in the forest upon a buck by
the forester. And by the said forester he was put on pledge to
William Grimbald and Simon of Houghton, to have them before
the justices. William comes and denies that pledge, and there-
fore it is adjudged that he defend himself according to the assize of
the forest. And Simon will come to-morrow. Afterwards the afore-
said Grimbald came before the justices, and put himself in mercy.
The township of Brockhall is in mercy because they had not him
whom they pledged.
Ralph Neirnut of Threwelton is in mercy because a crossbow and
a bow were found in his house without warrant.
Roger Wandard is in mercy for a greyhound bitch which he had
against the assize.
These are the persons who were to keep William the verderer at
Northampton, John Samson, the reeve of Northampton, Peter Preston,
Emerald Destreis, William the son of Pain, Geoffrey Red of Farding,
and Restwald Ca.
6 SELECTIONS fro:m the forest eyre rolls
coram rego. Gaufi'idus filius Petri agistauit vno anno ducentos porcos et alio
anno centum et qninque porcos.
Henricus de Alneto diias marcas pro habendo bosco suo in pace
capto in manu regis.
II.i
PLACITA VENACIONIS PLACITATA APUD OCHAM IN EOTEL'
DIE MAPtTIS'^ PEOXIMA ANTE MEDIATM QUADKAGE-
SIMAM ANNO EEGNI EEGIS lOHANNIS DECIMO.
Eadiilfus de Martiwast dat viginti marcas ut quietus sit de eo
quod filius suus inuentus fuit in cliimino magno in foresta cum arcu
sine corda.^
Eegardores Eotel' et Leyc' communiter in misericordia quia non
fecerunt quod facere debuerunt.
Veredictum militum comitatus Eotel' quod ad summonicionem
iusticiariorum de foresta venire debent ad placita foreste omnes de
comitatu Leic' comuniter qui manent extra forestam ad distanciam
duarum leucarum.
Viscera cuiusdam cerui inuenta fuerunt subtus molendinum
Eoberti filii Ade de Skeftindon', et perticha similiter. Et erat vna
percussura in perticha, ac si esset facta de quadam securi. Et
molendinarius scilicet Willelmus Alani requisitus de ceruo illo dixit
quod nichil scit. Et quia molendinum erat ita remotum/ a villa et
prope choopertum foreste, preceptum est quod molendinum capiatur
in manus regis, et molendinarius remaneat in custodia hominis
Nicholai de Verdoun de Skegenton' ad inquirendum.
Elias de Lutterwrthe in misericordia pro stultiloquio facto coram
iusticiariis.
In domo Henrici filii Lefsi inuentus fuit [preap^ts] ^ vnius cerui.
Et interrogatus vnde uenerat hoc dixit quod venatores regis ilium ei
' Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Re- arrows to the bow with the string. Perhaps
ccipt. No. 249, Eoll 11. This is an official the absence of the string raised a suspicion
transcript made towards the close of the of its being used as a snare,
thirteenth century. The original no longer ■• MS. ' remotus.'
exists. ^ 3 March 120§. ^ This word was probably wrongly
■' It is difficult to see the reason for the transcribed from the original roll. The
insertion of the words ' sine corda.' A man letters here printed in italics represent
might pass through the forest with a bow contractions in the roll. Perhaps the word
and arrows provided that he bound the in the original was ' perticha " or ' pcrchia.'
RUTLAND EYRE, A.D. 1209 G
Geoffrey fitz Peter agisted in one year two hundred pigs and in
another year one hundred and tive pigs.
Henry Dauney gives two marks for having in peace his wood
which was taken into the king's hand.
11.
PLEAS OF THE VENISON PLEADED AT OAKHAM IN RUT-
LAND ON THE TUESDAY 2 NEXT BEFORE THE MIDDLE
OF LENT IN. THE TENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF
KING JOHN.
Ralph de Martinvast gives twenty marks that he may be quit of
this, that his son was found in the high road in the forest with a
bow without a string.
The regarders of Rutland and Leicester are all in mercy because
they did not that which they ought.
The verdict of the kniglits of the county of Rutland is that at the
summons of the justices of the forest all men of the county of Leicester
ought to come to the pleas of the forest who dwell outside the forest
as far as two leagues.
The entrails of a certain hart were found under the mill of Robert
the son of Adam of Skeflington ; and an antler likewise. And
there was a fracture in the antler as though it were made with
a certain axe. And the miller, that is to say William the son of Alan,
being asked about that hart, said that he knows nothing. And
because the mill was so far away from the town and near to the covert
of the forest, it is ordered that the mill be taken into the king's
hands ; and that the miller remain in the custody of the man of
Nicholas of Skeffington for inquiries to be made.
Elias of Lutterworth is in mercy for contemptuous speech before
the justices.
In the house of Henry the son of Lefsi there was found the [antler]
of a hart ; and being asked whence it came he said that the king's
7 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
dederunt. Et forestarii dubitauerunt quod ille ceruum asportauerat
quern rex interfecit in foresta, et fuit deperditus.
Et inquisicio facta coram iusticiariis quod non malecreditur de
ceruo illo ; et ideo remanet in custodia villate de Skeftinton' ad inquir-
endum. Et Willelmus filius Gunnild' manet in custodia lohannis filii
Simonis domini sui ad inquirendum, qui visus fuit prout dicebatur
prope locum vbi predictus ceruus interfectus fuit. Et debent reddi a
Pascha anno regni regis lohannis decimo infra annum completum.
Eobertus de Langeton' et Eobertus Sampson, viridarii Leic', in
misericordia quia contradixerunt scripto suo.
Michael de Xeuill' et Eobertus de Wiuill' viridarii in misericordia
quia non fecerunt quod facere debuerunt ; et Hugo forestarius et
Samuel socius eius m misericordia pro eodem.
Eogerus filius Petri de Yppingham in misericordia pro stulto facto.
Thomas de Hotot, Willelmus de Fraxino et Henricus de Vppingham,
Alexander de Martinesthorp', viridarii, in misericordia quia fecerunt
quod facere non debuerunt.
Villata de Ocham in misericordia quia non habuerunt Eobertum
seruientem comitis Heref quem plegiauerunt.
Yillata de Egildun' in misericordia quia non venerunt coram
iusticiariis sicut venire debuerunt.'
Villata de Cnossinton' in misericordia quia non habuerunt quos
plegiauerunt, scilicet, Eicardum et Willelmum, qui inuenti fuerunt
cum arcubus et sagittis in chimino versus Eokingh'.
Benedictus de Haueresham offert dimidiam marcam domino regi pro
habendo bosco suo capto in manu regis ; et inquirendum [per quem].
Eogerus Monachus offert domino regi dimidiam marcam pro eodem.
Vicecomes Eotei' in misericordia quia [non] habuit prisones qui
liberati fuerunt ei in custodia per manus forestariorum.
Memorandum quod boscus Eeginaldi de Wittok' capiendus est in
manu regis.
Boscus sokemannorum de Prestegraue similiter.
MS. ' debuit.
EUTLAND EYRE, A.D. 1209 7
hunters gave it to him. iVnd the foresters suspected that he carried
away a hart which the king killed in the forest, and it was lost.
And an inquisition w^as made before the justices, which sa^^'s that
he is not suspected of that hart ; and therefore he remains in the
custody of the township of Skeffington for inquiries. And William
the son of Gunnilda remains in the custody of John the son of
Simon his lord for inquiries, because he was seen, as it was said,
near the place where the aforesaid hart was killed. And the inquisi-
tions ought to be returned within one year after Easter in the tenth
year of John.
Robert of Langton and Robert Samson, verderers of Leicester, are
in mercy because they contradicted their writing.
Michael de Neville and Robert of Wyville, verderers, are in mercy
because they did not that which they ought ; and Hugh the forester
and Samuel his colleague are in mercy for the same reason.
Roger the son of Peter of Uppingham is in mercy for a con-
temptuous act.
Thomas of Huttoft, William of Ash and Henry of Uppingham,
Alexander of Martinsthorpe, verderers, are in mercy because they did
that which they ought not to do.
The township of Oakham is in mercy because they had not Robert
the servant of the Earl of Hereford, whom they pledged.
The township of Egleton is in mercy because they did not come
before the justices as they ought.
The township of Knossington is in mercy because they had not
those whom they pledged, to wit Richard and William who were
found with bows and arrows in the road towards Rockingham.
Benedict of Haversham offers half a mark to the king for having
his wood which was taken into the king's hand ; and an inquiry is to
be made, by whom.
Roger le Moin offers to the king half a mark for the same.
The sheriff of Rutland is in mercy because he had not the prisoners
who were delivered to him by the hands of the foresters to guard.
Be it remembered that the wood of Reynold of Withcote is to be
taken into the king's hands.
The wood of the sokemen of Prestgrave likewise.
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
III.'
PLACITA FOEESTE APUD SALOPESBUEY DIE ^^ SABBATI
PEOXIMA POST MEDIAM QUADEAGESIMAM ANNO EEGNI
EEGIS lOHANNIS DECIMO COEAM H. DE NEUILL' ET
P. DE LEONIBUS.
Quidam ceruus intrauit in balliua castelli de Bruges per posternam ;
et castellani de Bruges eum ceperunt et tulerunt ad castellum. Et
viridarii hoc audientes illuc venerunt et interrogauerunt a Tlioma ^
de Ardinton' tunc vicecomite quid fecisset de ceruo illo. Et ille
recognouit quod ita fuit, et manucepit homines suos veniendi coram
iusticiariis etc ; scilicet Matheum constabularium Eogerum de Fugeriis
et Eicardum de Bromwic et Eobertum Portarium et Wah-anum
fratrem Mathei ; et non habuit eos coram iusticiariis. Indicium etc.
Villata de Bruges attachiata fuit pro eodem ceruo.
Eicardus de Prestwode itinerans per balHuam suam de Morf
sequebatur duos. homines quousque inuenit eos scilicet Hugonem de
Bectebury et Thomam fratrem eius ; et habebant tres leporarios extra
lessam et quinque lepores. Et cum ipse Eicardus cepisset predictum
Hugonem, predictus Thomas frater eius extract© gladio eum hberauit,
et fugauerunt ambo et idem Eicardus statim leuauit clamorem, et
sequebatur eos donee nox ab eo illos abstulit etc.
Eobertus venator Eoberti Corbet et Eobertus filius eiusdem
Eoberti Corbet ceperunt vnum ceruum sub villa de Stratton' ubi venit
Codigan seruiens vicecomitis cui dederunt vnam quissam et vnam
costam ad portandum cum eo apud Eintheton. Et aliam quissam
dederunt Codwellan'. Tunc supervenit Eadulfus forestarius Walteri
de Muneton', et cepit predictum Eobertum venatorem et duos canes.
Eobertus filius Eoberti fugiit cum capite cerui et furcio et cornu cerui
et vnam de costis ; et illos tradidit Hugoni filio Eoberti qui dimisit
predictum Eobertum et canes et venacionem custodiendos per breue
Hugonis de Neuill' usque ad placita foreste. Custodes * Eoberti Corbet,
Eogerus Purcell', Eobertus de Hanewode, Hugo Mersse, Eobertus de
» Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Re- the counties of Stafford and Salop from
ceipt, No. 144. This also is from an ofticial Michaelmas 1204 to 13 April 1216. See
transcript made towarda the close of the List of Sheriffs, x>- 117.
thirteenth century. " The word ' uenatoris ' is probably
- 14 March 120?. omitted here.
^ Thomas of Ardington was sheriff of
SALOP EYRE, A.D. 1:?09
III.
PLEAS OF THE FOEEST AT SHEEWSBUKY ON THE SATUR-
DAY ^ NEXT AFTER THE MIDDLE OF LENT IN THE
TENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING JOHN BEFORE
HUGH DE NEVILLE AND PETER DE LION.
A certain hart entered the baihwick of the castle of Bridge by the
postern ; and the castellans of Bridge took it and carried it to the
castle. And the verderers on hearing this came there and demanded
of Thomas of Ardington, who was then the sheriff what he had done
with that hart, and he acknowledged the truth, and undertook that
his men should come before the justices, that is to say Matthew the
Constable, Roger de Feugeres and Richard of Bromwich and Robert
the Porter, and Walerand the brother of Matthew ; and he had them
not before the justices etc. Judgment etc.
The township of Bridge was attached for the same hart.
Richard of Prestwood, journeying through their bailiwick of Morf
followed two men until he found them, that is to say Hugh of Beckbury
and Thomas his brother ; and they had three greyhounds unleashed
and five hares. And when the same Richard took the aforesaid Hugh,
the aforesaid Thomas his brother, with drawn sword, delivered him ;
and they both fled. And the same Richard immediately raised the
hue and followed them until night stole them away from him etc.
Robert the hunter of Robert Corbet and Robert the son of the same
Eobert Corbet took a hart under the town of Stretton, where came
Codigan the servant of the sheriff, to whom they gave a thigh and a
rib to carry with him to Ehiston, and they gave the other thigh to
Codwellan. Then came up Ralph, the forester of Walter of Minton,
and took the aforesaid Robert the hunter and two dogs. Robert the
son of Robert fled with the hart's head, and the breast, and an antler,
and one of the ribs. And Ralph delivered them to Hugh the son of
Robert, who by the writ of Hugh de Neville delivered the aforesaid
Robert and the dogs and the venison to be kept safely until the pleas
of the forest. The custodians of [the hunter of] Robert Corbet were
Roger Purcell, Robert of Hanwood, Hugh Mersse, Robert of Hope,
9 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOEEST EYRE ROLLS
Hope, Kadulfus de Le, Wido de Arundel, Rogerus Springehose, "Wido
de Merse, Eobertus de Langeford, Robertus filius Maddoc, Reinerus
de Acton' et Ricardus deWiton'. Et quia non habuerunt ^ predictum
venatorem nee venacionem nee canes qui commissi fuerunt eis in
custodia, adiudicat.^
Custodes ^ predicti, preter Robertum Corbet, ante indicium finem
fecerunt per sexaginta marcas vt quieti sint* de custodia ilia. Vice-
comes habet plegios.
Robertus Corbet dicit quod dominus rex condonauit ei loquelam
illam, etnon ilium trahit ad warantum. Et quia est baro domini regis
et regem trahit ad warantum, dies datus est ei coram rege a die
Mercurii'^ proxima post diem Pasche in vnum mensem ad habendum
ibi Robertum venatorem suum.
De Rogero filio suo dixit qui fugiit cum capite cerui et cum furchia
quod fuit cum comite Cestr' et nesciuit vbi fuit, set id mandaret ei
quod veniat ad curiam et si ipse illuc veniat in posterum ipsum in
manu capiet habendi recto.
Ricardus de Holton', Wilkinus de Estlegh', Hulle de Hineton' et
Hulle Robucke seruientes comitatus inuenerunt in domo Hugonis le
Scot venacionem, et ipse H. fugiit ad ecclesiam. Et cum viridarii et
forestarii illuc uenissent interrogauerunt de ipso H. vnde ilia venacio
venit, et ipse et quidam alius Rogerus de Welinton' nomine recognouit
quod occiderant vnam bissam vnde ilia venacio fuit ; et ipse noluit
exire de ecclesia ilia, set ibi moram fecit per vnum mensem et postea
euasit in specie mulieris. Et fugitiuus est ; et Rogerus de Welinton'
similiter. Preceptum est autem quod exigantur et nisi uenerint^
vtlagentur.
Villate de Welinton', Ardulueston', Laueleg', Keteleg' in miseri-
cordia, quia negauerunt quod prius cognouerunt.
Preceptum est quod viuarium^ de Stirlegh' capiatur in manu regis
pro ceruo in eo submerso.
Inquirendum de exitu terrarum forestariorum de Clauerlegh' et de
Vrfeld postquam amoti fuerunt a forestaria.
Villata de Kenelegh' in misericordia quia negauerunt quod prius
dixerunt.
Milites et homines manentes in Brewode in Salopsir' dant domino
regi centum marcas vt ipsi et heredes eorum sint inperpetuum de-
' MS. ' babuit.' sible for his hunter and his son as his
••^ The original probably contained the mainpasts.
words ' ad iudicium ' instead of this word. ■• MS. ' sunt.' ^ 29 April 1209.
'■' The elder Robert Corbet was respon- ' MS. ' uenit.' ' MS. ' virarium.'
SALOP EYRE, A. P. li'()9 9
Ealph of Lee, Guy of Arundel, Eoger Springehose, Guy of Marsh,
Robert of Langford, Robert the son of Maddoc, Reyner of Acton and
Richard of Wytton. And because they had not the aforesaid hunter
nor the venison nor the dogs which were entrusted to them to keep
safely, to judgment with them.
The aforesaid custodians, except Robert Corbet, made fine before
judgment by sixty marks in order that they might be quit of that
custody. The sheriff has the pledges. ,
Robert Corbet says that the king pardoned him that plea, and
now he vouches him to warranty, and because he is a baron of the
king and vouches him to warranty, a day is given him on Wednesday^
a month after Easter to have there Robert his hunter.
Of Robert his son, who fled with the hart's head and with the breast,
he said that he was with the Earl of Chester and that he did not know
where he was, but would send orders to him to come to the court, and
if he come thither afterwards he will undertake to have him stand to
right.
Richard of Holton, Wilkin of Eastlegh, Hiille of Hinton, and
Hulle Roebuck, the Serjeants of the county, found venison in the house
of Hugh le Scot. And Hugh fled to the church ; and when the
foresters and verderers came thither they demanded of Hugh whence
that venison came. And he and a certain other person, Roger of
Wellington by name, acknowledged that they had killed a hind from
which that venison came. And he refused to leave the church but
lingered there for a month ; and afterwards escaped in the guise of a
woman. And he is a fugitive ; and Roger of Wellington hkewise.
It is ordered that they be exacted, and unless they come let them be
outlawed.
The townships of Wellington, Arleston, Lawley and Ketley are in
mercy because they denied what they had previously acknowledged.
It is ordered that the vivary of Sturchley be taken in the king's
hand for a hart which was drowned in it.
An inquiry is to be made as to the issues of the land of the foresters
of Claverley and Worfield after they were removed from office.
The township of Kenley is in mercy because they denied what
they had previously said.
The knights and men dwelhng in Brewood in Shropshire give to
the king a hundred marks so that they and their heirs may be for ever
10
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
miseri-
cordia.
miseri-
cordia.
afforestati secundum quod continetur in carta ^ domini regis quam ijjsi
et homines de Staffordssir' inde/ ita quod omnes illi de comitatu de
Salopes' qui venati sunt uel bestias ceperunt in predicta Brewode infra
comitatum Salop' communicent cum predictis militibus et hominibus
ad predictum finem racionabiliter secundum quod quilibet eorum sit.
Warinus de Wilegh' in misericordia pro pall' dentis inuentis in
sepe sua ; set non malecreditur.
De Eoberto de Bromfeld duo solidi pro essarto.
lohannes Hopestan et Willelmus de Wistaneswic in misericordia
pro falsa querela.
Willelmus de la Eugge dat dimidiam marcam ne boueria sua,
quam leuauit super terram suam apud Sutton', remoueatur.
De Philippo de Fernlawe dimidiam marcam quia non habuit quem
plegiauit in Staffordsir.'
Hamo filius Marescalli ^ cepit lepores in warenna de Bulregg'.
Hugo Extraneus similiter.
Homines Willelmi filii Alani similiter.
Walter us de Bascherthe in misericordia quia cognouit quod prius
negauit.
Viuianus de Eushal' dat tres marcas vt quietus sit de plegiacio.
Preceptum est Guidoni venatori quod cum viridariis capiat terram
Thome de Costentin et boscum suum qui per falsam iuratam eiectus ^
fuit de foresta, et similiter quod inquirat nomina illorum qui iuratam
illam fecerunt, et habere faciat.
lohannes Baggot recepit apud BlemenhuU' canes et bersatores in
Staff' qui veniebant ad currendum in Turrewode.
Hamo de Weston' similiter recepit canes et bersatores apud Westan'.
Nomina^ viridariorum in Salopsir'.^
' The Charter above mentioned is thus
enrolled on the roll of Charters of the fifth
year of John : —
' Carta de Broiuuda. lohannes dei gracia
etc. Sciatis nos omnino deaforestasse
forestam de Browuda de omnibus que ad
forestam et forestarios pertinent. Quare
uolumus et tirmiter precipimus quod pre-
dicta foresta et homines in ea manentes et
heredes eorum sint deaforestati inper-
petuum et soluti et quieti de nobis et here-
dibus nostris ab omnibus que ad forestam
vel forestarios pertinent. Testibus G. filio
Petri etc.,W. Marescallo comife de Penbroc
R. comite Cestr', W. comite Sarr', W.
coinite de Warenn', Willelmo de Breosa etc.
Data per manum S. prepositi Beuerl' etc.
apud Bruges xiij die March anno etc.
quiato.'
'^ MS. ' Marescat.'
=• MS. ' eiecit.'
■* The names are not written in the roll.
^ The above official transcripts were
made in the reign of Edward i. when his
forests were being perambulated with a
view to those parts of them which had
been improperly afforested being disaifor-
ested. His advisers had transcripts made
of some of the forest eyre rolls of the reigns
of John and Henry iii. in order to ascer-
tain what places had formerly been con-
sidered to be within the forests. The fol-
lowing entry is written on the last official
transcript printed above: —
' Et sciendum quod plures alii amerci-
antur pro eodem prout continetur in rotulo
qui incipit sic : — Amerciamenta de viridi,
usque Summam vij li' ix s'. Et quia nulla
mentio fit de aliqua villata non scribitur
plus de rotulo illo.'
SALOP EYRE, AD. 1209 10
disforested according to the contents of the king's charter which they
and the men of Staffordshire have thereof ; upon condition that all
those of the county of Shropshire who have hunted or taken beasts
in the aforesaid Brewood within the county of Shropshire may share
with the aforesaid knights and men in the aforesaid fine each accord-
ing to his means.
Warin of Willey is in mercy for found in his hedge ; but he
is not suspected.
Of Robert of Bromfield two shillings for an essart.
John Hopestan and ^Yilliam of Wistanswick are in mercy for a
false complaint.
William of the Eidge gives half a mark in order that his cowhouse
which he erected upon his land at Sutton be not removed.
Of Philip of Fernlaw half a mark because he has not him whom he
pledged in Staffordshire.
Hamo the son of the Marshall took hares in the warren of Bui-
ridge.
Hugh I'E strange likewise.
The men of William fitz Alan likewise.
Walter of Baschurch is in mercy because he acknowledged what
he had previously denied.
Vivian of Rushall gives three marks in order that he may be quit
of his suretyship.
Guy the hunter is ordered, with the verderers, to take the land
of Thomas de Costentin and his wood which by a false jury was
put out of the forest, and in like manner to inquire the names of
those who formed that jury, and let him cause ....
John Baggot harboured at Blymhill dogs and poachers in Stafford-
shire who came to hunt in Turrewode.
Hamo of Weston in like manner received dogs and poachers at
Weston.
Names of the verderers in Salop. . . .
11 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOKEST EYRE ROLLS
PLACITA FOEESTE IN COMITATU HUNTINDON' A DIE
SANCTE TEINITATIS IN QUINDECIM DIES ^ ANNO KEGNI
REGIS HENRLCI FILII EEGIS lOHANNIS TEICESIMO
NONO COEAM WILLELMO LE BRITON' NICOLAO DE
EOMES' GALFEIDO DE LEUECNOE' ET SYMONE DE
TEOPP' lUSTICIAEIIS ITINEEANTIBUS AD PLACITA
FOEESTE IN COMITATU HUNTIND' ET ALUS COMI-
TATIBUS.^*
ij marce Symoii de CoiDDianford' (alibi), Eobertus Wyne (j marca''), lohannes
Ballard (dimidia marca) Eicardus le Port' (dimidia marca) viridarii
in misericordia, quia non presentaiierunt rotulos suos primo die.
Eicardus de Grafba' qui fuit canonicus Huutond' stulte recessit a
domo sua et venit per patriam quasi vagus, suspectus babebatur.
Forestarii inuenerunt ilium in domo Willelmi de Grafba' ; et illuc
inuentus fuit vnus arcus cum quinque paruis sagittis. Et dictum
Eicardum ceperunt et arcum et sagittas ; et. ipsum Eicardum in-
prisonauerunt. Qui venit coram iusticiariis. Et protestatum fuit
per forestarios et viridarios et per quatuor villatas quod non fuit
quietus. malefactor in foresta, nee in aliquo culpabilis ; et ideo quietus. Et
dictus Willelmus, in cuius domo ipae fuit inuentus, deaduocauit arcum
misericordia et sagittas, ncc sciuit dicere, cuius fuerunt : et ideo in misericordia.
IJ S. O '
^ Presentatum est *' per forestarios [et] viridarios quod quidam
Micbaelis de Dupenha' manupastus lobannis de Dupenba' occidit
vnum damum in campo de lakel' cum quadam hacba a pik. Qui
Micbaelis captus fuit per Hugonem ^ de Goldinha' senescallum foreste,
' Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Be- of it, and the past participle with the perfect
ceipt. No. 41, Koll 6. '^ 6 June 1255. indicative of the auxiliary verb ' esse '
' The letters patent appointing these instead of the perfect passive. Thus ' pre-
persons itinerant justices are enrolled on sentatum est ' means ' it is presented,' and
Patent Eoll 65, m. 7, and the letters close ' presentatum fuit,' ' it was presented.'
ordering the Sheriff of Huntingdon to sum- ' The forest of Huntingdon was part of
mon all who ought to attend at the court a large forest bailiwick, which extended
of the forest eyre on Close Eoll 70, m. 12 from Stamford bridge to' Oxford bridge,
in dorso. Hugh of Goldingham was appointed steward
■* The amercements which are inter- or warden of this bailiwick, but not
lineated in the original and printed in the until G March 125^. (See Patent Pioll 65,
Latin text above in brackets are omitted in memb. 12.) It is clear from the inquisition
the English translation so as to save space. printed on p. 76 that this trespass was
* See p. 76. committed on 6 October 1250. Hugh must
" In mediaeval Latin the present indica- therefore have been only deputy steward at
tive passive of many verbs was not in general this time to Geoffrey of Langley, who then
use, the perfect passive being used instead held the office.
HUNTINGDON EYEE, A.D. 1255 11
IV.
PLEAS OF THE FOREST IN THE COUNTY OF HUNTINGDON
IN THE QUINDENE '' OP HOLY TEINITY IN THE THIETY-
NINTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING HENRY THE
SON OP KING JOHN BEFORE WILLIAAI LE BRETON
NICHOLAS OP ROMSEY GEOFFREY OF LEWKNOR AND
SIMON OF THORP JUSTICES IN EYRE FOR PLEAS
OF THE FOREST IN THE COUNTY OF HUNTINGDON
AND OTHER COUNTIES.
Simon of Coppingford, Robert Wynne, John Ballard, Richard le
Porter, verderers, are iu mercy because they did not present their rolls
the first day.
Richard of Grafham, who was a canon of Huntingdon, con-
temptously withdrew from his house, and came through the country
as a wanderer ; he was suspected. The foresters found him in the
house of William of Grafham ; and a bow with five little arrows was
found there. And they took the said Richard and the bow and the
arrows and imprisoned the same Richard. And he came before the
justices. And it was testified by the foresters and verderers and by
four townships that he was not an evil doer in the forest nor in any
respect guilty ; therefore he is quit. And the said William in whose
house he was found disavowed the bow and the arrows ; nor could he
say whose they were ; and therefore he is in mercy.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that a certain
Michael of Debenham, the mainpast of John of Debenham, killed
a buck in the field of Yaxley with a certain pick axe. And this
Michael was taken by Hugh of Goldingham the steward of the forest
12
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
misericor-
(lia XX s
exigatur.
] X marce
dimiilia.
misericor-
c s.
dimid
et liberatus Henrico cle Coleuil',' tunc vicecomiti Hnntind', qui ipsum
posuit in prisonam de Huntind'. Et ipse euasit a dicta prisona ;
ideo ad indicium de euasione super dictum Henricum qui mortuus est.
Et quia lohannes de Depenha' (xx s) dictum Michaelem receptauit
post istud factum, et modo non habuit ipsum coram iusticiariis, ideo
in misericordia. Et Michaelis modo non venit, ideo exigatur etc. Et
Eicardus de Stilton' vidit ubi predictus Michaelis occidit predictum
damum, et non leuauit hutesium. Modo non venit et fuit attacliiatus
per Oliuerum de Vpton'. Et quia dictus Eicardus essoniatus fuit j^rimo
de morte, et testatum fuit quod mortuus est ; ideo plegii sui inde
quieti. Et quia villate de lakel' (vj marce), Folkesworth' (j marca),
Stilton' (j marca), Morburn' (xx s) non venerunt coram iusticiario
[ad] inquisicionem faciendam ; ideo in misericordia.
Presentatum est per forestarios quod Walterus Scbarp', venator
magistri Eogeri de Eauelingha', inuentus fuit in foresta cum arcu et
sagittis. Et testatum est per viridarios quod dictus Walterus non
venit illuc occasione malefaciendi in foresta. Et idem Walterus
venit modo et non potuit dedicere quin portaret arcum et sagittas
contra assisam foreste ; ideo in misericordia per pleuinam dicti
magistri Eogeri de Eauelinha'. Postea perdonatur.
- Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod conuictum est
per inquisicionem villarum Alkesinbir', Weston', Magna Stiuecl' et
Parua quod quidam Geruasius homo lohannis de Crachale visus fuit
noctanter in foresta occasione malefaciendi cum malefactoribus ignotis
cum leporariis arcubus et sagittis. Et postea fuit inuentus idem
Geruasius ducens hernasium domini sui lohannis^ de Crachal' infra
curiam grangiarum prioratus Huntind', et ibidem captus per forestarios
et in prisona Huntind' positus. Et super hoc venerunt Walterus
vicarius ecclesie sancte Marie Hunt' et alii capellani eiusdem ville,
quorum nomina ignorantur et Willelmus de Leycestr' * (xx s) seruiens
episcopi Line,' et dictum Geruasium de prisona ceperunt tanquam
clericum, et secum duxerunt, Et idem Geruasius modo non venit et
ideo preceptum est magistro Eogero de Eaueling' archidiacono Hunt'
qui presens est quod habeat dictum Walterum vicarium et alios coram
iusticiariis die Dominica etc. Ad diem venit dictus magister Eogerus
et duxit Walterum vicarium (c s) qui dicit quod cum dictus Geruasius
(dimidia marca) captus esset et inprisonatus ut prediotum est, venit
' Hugh cle Colleville was sheriff of the
counties of Huntingdon and Cambridge
from 11 May 1249 till 6 October 1251. See
List of Sheriffs. ^ See p. 77.
' In the year 1260 John of Crakehall
was acting as king's treasurer. See Close
Roll 79, memb. 19 dorso. See p. 77.
^ The words ' prope Graham in comitatu
Lincoln' in Yngoldely ' are here inter-
lineated in the roll.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 1255 12
and delivered to Henry de Colleville, then the sheriff of Huntingdon,
who put him in the prison of Huntingdon. And he escaped from the
said prison ; therefore to judgment for the escape with the said Henry,
who is dead. And because John of Debenham harboured the said
Michael after that deed, and now has him not before the justices,
therefore he is in mercy. And Michael does not come now, therefore
let him be exacted etc. And Eichard of Stilton saw where the afore-
said Michael killed the aforesaid buck, and did not raise the hue.
Now he does not come ; and he was attached by Oliver of Ui^ton.
And because the said Richard was essoined of death on the first day,
and it was witnessed that he is dead, therefore his pledges are quit
thereof. And because the townships of Yaxley, Folks worth, Stilton
and Morborne did not come before the justice to make inquisition,
therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the foresters that Walter Sharp the hunter of
master Roger of Raveningham was found in the forest with a bow and
arrows. And it is witnessed by the verderers that the said Walter did
not come there for the purpose of evil doing in the forest. And the
same Walter now came, and could not deny that he carried a bow and
arrows against the assise of the forest ; therefore he is in mercy by
the pledge of the said master Roger of Raveningham. Afterwards he
is pardoned.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that it is proved by
an inquisition of the towns of Alconbury, Weston, Great Stukeley and
Little Stukeley that a certain Gervais a man of John of Crakehall was
seen at night in the forest for the purpose of evil doing with unknown
evil doers, with greyhounds, bows and arrows. And afterwards the
same Gervais was found carrying the harness of his lord, John of
Crakehall, within the court of the granges of the priory of Huntingdon,
and was there taken by the foresters and put in the prison of Hunting-
don. And upon this came Walter, the vicar of the church of St.
Mary of Huntingdon, and other chaplains of the same town, whose
names are not known, and William of Leicester, a servant of the
bishop of Lincoln. And they took the said Gervais from prison as a
clerk, and led him away with them. And now the same Gervais does
not come ; and therefore master Roger of Raveningham, archdeacon
of Huntingdon, who is present, is ordered to have the said Walter the
vicar and the others before the justices on Sunday etc. At that day
came the said master Roger, and brought Walter the vicar, who says
that when the said Gervais was taken and imprisoned as aforesaid, he
13
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
W. et G.
liberati
magiotro
misen-
cordia.
X maroe.
cum sociis suis capellanis et fecit ammonicionem quod ipsum G. a
prisona deliberassent et sancte ecclesie restituissent, eo quod clericus
fuit. Et forestarii timentes excomunicacionem ipsum permiserunt
abire, et nichil aliud fecerunt, Et dictum est dicto Waltero quod
predictum G. contra pacem et vi a prisona extraxit et abduxifc. Ee-
quisitus qualiter se velit aquietare dicit quod non uult in ista curia
respondere. Ideo requisitum est a forestariis et viridariis vtrum
dictus Walterus et alii ipsum G. a prisona abduxerunt uel forestarii
sentenciam timentes ipsum voluntarie abire permiserunt. Qui dicunt
quod Willelmus de Leyc' et Walterus et alii venerunt ad forestarios
cum libris et candelis volentes ipsos excomunicare nisi predictum G.
a prisona deliberassent, qui dixerunt quod non habuerunt potestatem
ipsum deliberare ; et tunc accesserunt ad prisonam et ipsum G.
extraxerunt et abduxerunt. Et magister Eogerus venit et petit dictum
Walterum tanquam capellanum. Et liberatus fuit ei convictus de
predicto facto. Et postea venit dictus G. et convictum est per
forestarios et viridarios quod est malefactor de venacione. Et pre-
dictus magister Eogerus petit ipsum tanquam clericum et liberatur ei
tanquam malefactor aperte et de hoc convictus. Et quia loliannes de
Crachal' (x marce) receptauit ilium Geruasium post illud factum et
adhuc stat cum eodem, ideo in misericordia.
^ Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod Eicardus coeus
domini Eicardi comitis Gloc', Willelmus marescallus et Walterus
clericus de camera eiusdem comitis in eundo de Huntind' uersus
Stanford' ad parandum hospicium domini sui, die Veneris ^ proxima
ante festum sancti Andree, quando dictus comes iuit uersus Ebor',
ceperunt vnam damam cum leporariis suis. Quod factum forestarii
domino comiti statim intimauerunt, qui factum illud bene aduocauit.
Et ideo coram rege.
^ Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod die ■* Sabbati
proxima ante annunciacionem beate Marie anno etc. tricesimo septimo
infra noctem capti fuerunt duo leporarii per forestam currentes ad
bestias. Inquisicio facta fuit per villatas de Magna Stiuecl' (xx s),
Eypton' Abbatis (xx s), Herford' (j marca) et Eypton' Eegis (j marca)
de dictis leporariis cuius essent et vnde venissent. Et nichil in-
quiri potuit. Et quia dicte villate non venerunt plenarie ad
inquisicionem ; ideo in misericordia. Et Johannes^ Mansel' tunc
' See p. 78. ^ 24 November 1251.
' See p. 78.
* 22 March 125f.
* John Mansel was appointed bailiff of
the forests between Stamford bridge and
Oxford bridge in succession to Geoffrey of
Langley by letters patent dated 24 October
1262. See Patent Roll 61, memb. 1.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 1255 13
came with his feUow chaplains and admonished them that they should
deliver the same Gervais from prison, and restore him to holy Church
on the ground that he was a clerk. And the foresters, fearing excom-
munication, permitted him to depart and did nothing else. And the
said Walter was told that he took out of prison and carried away the
aforesaid Gervais against the peace and by force. And, being asked
how he wished to acquit himself, he says that he will not answer in
this court ; therefore the foresters and verderers are asked whether the
said Walter and the others carried away the same Gervais fi'om prison
or whether the foresters, fearing an ecclesiastical sentence, of their
own will permitted him to depart. They say, that William of Leicester
and Walter and the others came to the foresters with books and
candles meaning to excommunicate them if they did not deliver the
aforesaid Gervais from prison, and they said that they had not power
to deliver him. And then William and the others went to the
prison and dragged out and carried away the same Gervais. And
master Roger comes and demands the said Walter as his chaplain,
and he was delivered to him convicted of the aforesaid deed. And
afterwards comes the said Gervais ; and it is proved by the foresters
and verderers that he is an evil dotr to the venison. And the afore-
said master Eoger demands him as a clerk ; and he is delivered to
him as a manifest evil doer, and one convicted of this. And because
John of Crakehall harboured this Gervais after that deed, and he still
stands by him, therefore he is in mercy.
It is i^resented by the foresters and verderers that Eichard the
cook of Sir Eichard, earl of Gloucester, William the marshall, and
Walter the clerk of the chamber of the same earl, on their way from
Huntingdon to Stamford to make ready the house of their lord, on
the Friday^ next before the feast of St. Andrew, when the said
earl was going towards York, took a doe with their greyhounds. And
the foresters forthwith made known this deed to the earl, who vouched
it well. And therefore before the king.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that the Saturday ^
next before the Annunciation of the blessed Mary in the thirty-seventh
year during the night, two greyhounds which were running through
the forest after beasts were taken. Inquisition was made by the
townships of Great Stukeley, Abbots Eipton, Hartford and King's
Eipton concerning the said greyhounds, whose they were, and whence
they came ; and nothing could be ascertained. And because the
said townships did not come fully to make inquisition, therefore they
14
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
summus senescallus foreste habuit dictos leporarios de quibus est
responsurus.
^ Presentatum est per forestarios [et] viridarios quod vnus capellanus
et septem clerici inuenti fuerunt cum arcubus et sagittis in regali via
infra forestam, Capti fuerunt per forestarios per suspicionem, quos
Hugo de Goldinha' senescallus ^ foreste in prisona retinuit. Et postea
illos liberauit Symoni^ de Hogton' tunc vicecomiti Huntind' qui ipsos
inprisonauit in prisona Cantebr'. Et postea coram magistro Symone**
de Wanton' et sociis suis iusticiariis itinerantibus apud Huntind'
deliberati fuerunt Eoberto ^ tunc Line' episcopo tanquam clerici. Et
quia dictus Symon tunc vicecomes non intimauit dictis iusticiariis
quod capti essent in foresta per forestarios pro malefacto et trans-
gressione, ideo in misericordia. Et quia Bymon de Copmanford',
viridarius, cui arcus et sagitte traditi fuerunt, quod illos haberet coram
iusticiariis, et modo non liabuit, ideo in misericordia.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod die *^ sancti
Tohannis Baptiste post prandium inuentus fuit quidam leporarius
currens post vnam herdiam bestiarum, quem leporarium Henricus de
Hecmundecote tunc forestarius pedes cepit. Et statim quidam garcio
sequutus fuit dictum leporarium, quem garcionem similiter cepit cum
vno cornu et septem sagittis. Et ipsum et leporarium duxit ad
hospicium Willelmi de Kading', dommi sui forestarii equitis ; qui
garcionem et leporarium pro eo quod fuerunt de domo et familia
magistri Symonis de Wauton', tunc existentis iusticiarii itinerantis
apud Hund', duxit ad hospicium dicti magistri Symonis, et ipsos ei
liberauit. Ideo mandatum^ est vicecomiti Buk' quod venire faciat
Galfridum ^ de Childewyc', tunc senescallum foreste, sub quo dictus
Willelmus de Eading' fuit, coram iusticiariis ^ etc. die Veneris ^° proxima
post festum sancti Barnabe apostoli. Ad diem non venit, ideo man-
datum est iterum.
Gaifridus filius Alani de Sybetorp' suspectus de malefacto in
foresta cum arcu et sagittis venit ; et requisitus qualiter se velit
' See p. 79.
2 See p. 11, note 7.
^ Simon of Houghton was sheriff of
Huntingdon and Cambridge from G October
,1251 to 17 October 1253. See List of
Sheriffs.
* Simon of Walton was itinerating with
other justices at Huntingdon from 25 May
to 23 June 1253. See Feet of Fines, Case
92, File 10.
^ This was the illustrious Robert Grosse-
tete, bishop of Lincoln.
" 24 June 1253.
' In these rolls ' mandatum ' means an
order sent to a person not present ; ' precep-
tum,' an order given to a person who is
present. The distinction is accurately ob-
served.
*• There is no enrolment in the Patent
EoUs of the appointment of Geoffrey of
Childwick as steward of the bailiwick be-
tween Oxford and Stamford bridges. It is
probable that, like Hugh of Goldingham,
he was only a deputy steward.
" MS. ' istic'
'" 18 June 1255.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 12oo 14
are in mercy. And John Mansel, then chief steward of the forest,
had the said greyhounds ; and he is to answer for them.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that a chaplain and
seven clerks were found with bows and arrows in the king's road
within the forest. They were taken by the foresters on suspicion.
And Hugh of Goldingham, steward of the forest, retained them in
prison ; and afterwards he delivered them to Simon of Houghton,
then sheriff of Huntingdon, who imprisoned them in the prison of
Cambridge. And afterwards they were delivered before master Simon
of Walton and his fellows justices in eyre at Huntingdon to Eobert
then the bishop of Lincoln as clerks. And because the said Simon,
then the sheriff, did not send word to the said justices that they were
taken in the forest by the foresters for an evil deed and for trespass,
therefore he is in mercy. And because Simon of Coppingford, the
verderer, to whom the bows and arrows were delivered, that he might
have them before the justices, now had them not, therefore he is in
mercy.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that on the day ^ of
St. John the Baptist after dinner a certain greyhound was found
running after a herd of beasts. And Henry of Heathencote, then a
walking forester, took the greyhound ; and immediately afterwards a
certain boy followed the said greyhound. And he took in like manner
the boy, with a horn and seven arrows. And he brought him and
the greyhound to the house of his lord William of Eeading, the riding
forester, who brought the boy and the greyhound, on the ground that
they were of the house and establishment of master Simon of Walton,
then a justice in eyre at Huntingdon, to the house of the said
master Simon, and delivered them to him. Therefore an order is
sent to the sheriff of Buckingham that he cause Geoffrey of Childwick,
then the steward of the forest, under whom the said William of
Beading was, to be before the justices etc. on the Friday ^° next after
the feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle, On this day he does not come ;
therefore an order is sent a second time.
Geoffrey the son of Alan of Sibthorpe, who was suspected of an
evil deed in the forest with a bow and arrow, comes, and, being asked
15 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
aquietare de ilia suspicione, elicit quod per forestarios viridarios et
quatuor villatas propinquiores. Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum
quod non est culpabilis de aliquo malefacto in foresta. Et quia idem
Galfridus non venit immo die, et fuit attacliiatus per Symonem Man
de Sybetorp', Willelmum Man fratrem eius de eadem, lohannem
forestarium de eadem, Willelmum de Well' de eadem, Eicardum
Gamelyn de eadem et Walterum Buc de Elincton', ideo omnes in
misericordia.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod die ^ Martia
proxima post clausam Pasclie anno tricesimo nono circa mediam
noctem tres malefactores ignoti veneriint apud Sappell' cum arcubus
et sagittis et duobus leporariis quos permiserunt curere ad bestias.
Et forestarii ceperunt dictos leporarios et miserunt domino regi.
Inquisicio facta qui essent ipsi malefactores per villatas de Eypton'
Piegis (alibi) et Pijpton' Abbatis (alibi), Her ford' (alibi), Parua Stiuecle
(j marea), qui nichil inde potuerunt inquirere. Et quia non venerunt
plenarie ad inquirendum, ideo in misericordia. Et quia Magna
Stiuecle (alibi) non venit coram iusticiario ad inquisicionem inde
faciendam, ideo in misericordia.
Presentatum est per forestarios quod Willelmus de Boleuil' habet
leporarios infra metas foreste sine licencia. Qui venit et dicit quod
nullos habet nee habuit et de hoc ponit se super viridarios et quatuor
villatas, scilicet, Pacston', Toleslund', Offord' et Gomecestr', qui dicunt
quod dictus Willelmus nullos habet nee habuit leporarios ; et ideo
inde quietus.
Presentatum fuit per regardatores coram Ernaldo ^ de Bosco, tunc
iusticiario foreste, quod Willelmus Cardon' habuit leporarios infra
metas foreste sine licencia. Qui venit et defendit et dicit quod nullos
habet nee habuit ; et de hoc ponit se super forestarios viridarios et
quatuor villatas propinquiores, qui dicunt quod dictus Willelmus est
residens in comitatu Norhamt' infra libertatem,'' et ibi habet leporarios
cum quibus Willelmus Brond' et Gilbertus de Yslep' homines dicti
Willelmi et Willelmus Cardon' filius eius cuccurerunt in isto comitatu
infra forestam et lepores ceperunt. Et dictus Willelmus Cardon'
venit ; et Willelmus filius eius, Gilbertus de Yslep' et Willelmus Brond
' This word is erased and followed by of a district in which a subject had the
' quia homines abbatis de Barnes'.' right of exercising certain royal privileges,
'^ 6 April 1255. seems to have occasionally denoted any
' Arnold de Bois was appointed justice laud not subject to the forest law. At this
of the forest south of the Trent by letters time there was more of • foresta ' than
patent dated 16 February 125|. See Patent ' libertas ' in the county of Northampton.
KoU 62, memb. 16. See also p. 44.
The word 'libertas,' besides being used
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 1255 15
how he wishes to acquit himself of that suspicion, says by the foresters,
verderers, and four neighbouring townships, who say upon their oath
that he is not guilty of any evil deed in the forest. And because the
said Geoffrey did not come the first day, and was attached by Simon
Man of Sibthorpe, William Man his brother of the same town, John
the forester of the same town, William of Wells of the same town,
Richard Gamelyn of the same town and Walter Buck of Ellington,
therefore they are all in mercy.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that on the Tuesday "^
next after the close of Easter in the thirty-ninth year about midnight,
three unknown evil doers came to Sapley with bows and arrows and
two greyhounds which they permitted to run after beasts. And the
foresters took the said greyhounds and sent them to the lord king.
An inquisition was made as to who were the malefactors by the town-
ships King's Ripton, Abbots Eipton, Hartford, Little Stukeley, who
could ascertain nothing thereof. And because they did not come
fully to make inquiries, therefore they are in mercy. And because
Great Stukeley did not come before the justice to make inquisition
thereof, therefore it is in mercy.
It is presented by the foresters that William de Bolleville has
greyhounds within the metes of the forest without licence. He comes
and says that he has none, and had none ; and of this he puts him-
self upon the verderers and four townships, to wit Paxton, Toseland,
Offord and Godmanchester, who say that the said William neither
has nor had any greyhounds ; and therefore he is quit thereof.
It was presented by the regarders before Arnold de Bois, then
justice of the forest, that William Cardun had greyhounds within the
forest without licence. And he comes and denies it ; and says that
he has none and had none, and of this he puts himself upon the
foresters, verderers, and four neighbouring townships, who say that
the said William resides in the county of Northampton within the
liberty, and has there gre}- hounds, with which William Brond and
Gilbert of Islip, men of the said William, and William Cardun, his
son, coursed in this county within the forest, and took hares. And
the said William Cardun comes ; and William his son, Gilbert of Islip
16
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
non veniunt. Et ipse inuenit plegios habendi eos coram iusticiariis
die Lune sequenti, scilicet Willelmum filiuin Eanulfi et Eadulfum de
Metny. Ad diem venerunt predicti Willelmus Cardon' et alii, et non
potuerunt dedicere qnin currerent cum dictis leporariis infra metas
foreste ad lepores sine waranto. Et dictus Willelmus senior illos
habuit ; et hoc permisit sine waranto ; ideo omnes in misericordia.
Plegii misericordie, dictus Willelmus senior, Willelmus filius Eanulfi
de Catteworth'. Postea taxatur pro se et hominibus suis ad viginti
solidos.
' Adhue de venaeione.
Presentatum est per forestarios quod Eicardus de Weston' seruiens
abbatis de Wautha' et Willelmus Turkil de Witleshege et Bartbolo-
meus frater eius de eadem de homagio prioris de Ely, et alii quinque
homines ignoti de grangia dicti abbatis de Wautha' in Westfen'
ceperunt quadraginta cheuerellos in marisco de Kingesdelf infra metas
foreste die^ louis et die Veneris ante festum beati Thome apostoli
anno tricesimonono per preceptum fratris Geruasii de Alfricheseye de
abbacia de Wauth', qui eos receptauit. Et non venerunt. Et pre-
ceptum est vicecomiti quod faciat eos venire de die in diem. Ad diem
venit frater Geruasius et quidam Bartholomeus Turkil de Witleshege
et defendit capcionem dictorum cheuerellorum et omne malefactum
in foresta domini regis. Et inquiritur per forestarios et viridarios
rei ueritas qui dicunt quod Geruasius non est culpabilis de dicto
malefacto nee alio^ in foresta, set re uera dicunt quod predicti*
Eicardus et quidam Bartholomeus culpabiles sunt de capcione dic-
torum quadraginta etc. ; set vtrum sit iste Bartholomeus, qui presens
est, an alius Bartholomeus esset ad illud factum nesciunt ; ideo com-
mittitur senescailo prioris de Ely quod sit etc. Et Eicardus non
venit etc. Et preceptum fuit vicecomiti Bedef etc. ; ideo pre-
ceptum est iterum eidem vicecomiti quod habeat etc. apud Norhamt'
in octabis sancti lohannis ^ etc. Iterum venit dictus Bartholomeus
coram iusticiariis, et propter breuitatem temporis non potuit rei
ueritas inquiri de facto suo inquirendo ; traditur per baillium etc.
quod sit apud Norhamt' in octabis sancti lohannis.^
Presentatum est per forestarios quod venator abbatis de Eames'
Eoll 6 in dorso.
17 December l'2o4.
This word is repeated in the MS.
* This word is so extended in the MS.
* lJulyl255.
IIUXTIXfiDON F.YRE, A.D. liV,r, 16
and William Broncl do not come. And William Cardun the elder finds
pledges of having them before the justices on the Monday following, to
wit William the son of Ralph and Ralph of Metny. On that day came
the aforesaid William Cardun and the others, and they could not
deny that they coursed with the said greyhounds for hares within the
metes of the forest without warrant. And the said William the elder
had them and permitted this without warrant ; therefore they are all
in mercy. Pledges of the amercement the said William the elder,
William the son of Ralph of Catworth. Afterwards the amerce-
ment is taxed for him and his men at twenty shillings.
As yet of the venison.
It is presented by the foresters that Richard of Weston, a servant
of the abbot of Waltham, and William Turkil of Whittlesey and
Bartholomew his brother of the same town, of the homage of the
prior of Ely and five other unknown men of the grange of the said
abbot of Waltham in Westfen, took forty roes in the marsh of Kings
Delph, within the metes of the forest on the Thursday ' and Friday
before the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle in the thirty-ninth year,
by order of brother Gervais of Arlesey, of the abbey of Waltham,
who harboured them. And they did not come. And the sherift" is
ordered to cause them to come from day to day. At the appointed
day comes brother Gervais and a certain Bartholomew Turkil of
Whittlesey, and denies the taking of the said roes and every evil deed in
the forest of the lord king. And the truth of the matter is inquired
by the foresters and verderers, who say that Gervais is not guilty with
respect to the said evil deed, nor to any other in the forest. But in
truth they say that the aforesaid Richard and a certain Bartholomew
are guilty of the taking of the said forty etc. ; but whether it is this
Bartholomew who is present or another Bartholomew who was at
that deed, they do not know ; therefore he is committed to the steward
of the prior of Ely that he be etc. And Richard does not come etc.
And the sherift' of Bedford was ordered etc. therefore the same sheriff
is ordered a second time to have etc. at Northampton on the octave ^
of St. John the Baptist. The aforesaid Bartholomew came before the
justices a second time, and on account of shortness of time, the truth
could not be ascertained concerning the deed under inquiry. He is
delivered in bail etc. that he be at Northampton on the octave ^ of
St. John.
It is presented by the foresters that the hunter of the abbot of
17 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOEEST EYEE ROLLS
et sex canes ipsius abbatis curentes in foresta capti fuerunt per
Eobertum de Twywell' forestarium in Humberdale infra metas foreste.
Et ipsos liberauit Hiigoni de Goldinham ' senescallo foreste qui dictos
venatorem et canes nunc habet coram iusticiariis. Et super hoc
venit electus^ Elj-ens' per atornatum et dicit quod dicti venator et
canes capti fuerunt in libera chacia dicti electi domini sui de
Humberdal'. Et petit quod inquiratur per viridarios et forestarios ;
qui dicunt quod dicti venator et canes capti fuerunt in foresta et
extra banleucam ; set dicunt quod dictus venator non venit ibidem
occasione malefaciendi in foresta ; immo venit de libertate domini
sui infra banleucam suam, et quidam canum suorum currebant
uersus mariscum et quidam uersus forestam ; et post canes illos iuit
ad eos reclamandos et non alia de causa; et hoc fecit inuito
abbate et nesciente. Ideo abbas inde quietus et dictus venator, scilicet,
miseri- Eicardus Trussehare in misericordia quia stulte intrauit forestam
cordia.^
cum arcu et sagittis. Et testatum est per forestarmm quod septem
canes capti fuerunt tunc ibidem ; et inuenit plegios habendi illos
miseri- coram iusticiariis, et modo non habet ; ideo plegii in misericordia,
cordia.
scilicet, Willelmus le Noreis et Willelmus de Framlingeham.
** Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod cum forestarii
fecissent vigiliam sub Sapple occasione bailliue sue custodiende
obuiauerunt octo hominibus malefactoribus cum leporariis ; qui, cum
forestarios percepissent ipsos, statim fugerunt. Set vnum de eis
ceperunt nomine Eadulfum de Eenton', qui missus fuit in prisonam
apud Hunt' ; et tunc fuit vicecomes Philippus'^ de Stanton'. Postea
convictum est per viridarios quod mutauit nomen suum et fecit se sic
x^ s appellari cum proprium nomen suum esset Hugo le Fekere et quod per
cordia. infortunium postea submersus fuit. Et t^uia receptatus fuit in villa
euasio. de Wardebo,ys (xx s) extra decennam, ideo in misericordia. Et
testatum est per eosdem quod fuit inprisonatus apud Hunt' et ab ipsa
euasit ; ideo ad indicium de euasione super Philippum de Stanton'
tunc vicecomitem. Idem Hugo le Fekere, quando fuit captus
indictauit quosdam Osebertum le Marscall' et Geruasium cocum de
consorcio et malefacto de venacione domini regis. Et convictum est
' See p. 11, note 7. this file :— ' De abbate de Eames' pro
- The bishop elect here mentioned was boscis suis vastatis de veteri et pro defalta
William of Kilkenny, to whose election the forestariorum triginta marce.'
king gave his assent on 25 December 1254. ■* See p. 75.
See Patent Koll G5, memb. 15. * Philip of Stanton was appointed sheriff
^ This word is cancelled and followed by of Cambridge and Huntingdon on 15 Fe-
the words ' quia in fin' abbatis de Eames'. bruary 124^, and continued in office until
The cancellation is perhaps explained by 19 April 1249, when John de Chalers suc-
the following ent)y on the second roll of ceeded him. See List of Sheriffs.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 1255 17
Eamsey and six dogs of the same abbot, which were running in the
forest, were taken by Eobert of Twywell the forester in Humberdale,
within the metes of the forest. And he dehvered them to Hugh of
Goldingham, the steward of the forest, who now has the said hunter
and dogs before the justices. And upon this comes the bishop-
elect of Ely by his attorney, and says that the said hunter and dogs
were taken in the free chace of Humberdale of him the said bishop-
elect. And he seeks that inquiry may be made by the verderers and
foresters, who say that the said hunter and dogs were taken in the
forest and outside the banlieu ; but they say that the said hunter
did not come there for the purpose of evil doing in the forest ; but he
came from the liberty of his lord within his banlieu ; and some of his
dogs were running towards the marsh and some towards the forest ;
and he went after those dogs to call them back, and for no other
reason ; and this he did against the will and without the knowledge
of the abbot. Therefore the abbot is quit thereof, and the said
hunter, to wit Eichard Trussehare, is in mercy, because he con-
temptuously entered the forest with a bow and arrows. And it is
witnessed by the forester that the seven dogs were taken then and
there ; and he found pledges of havhig them before the justices,
and now he has them not ; therefore his pledges are in mercy, to
wit William le Noreis and William of Framlingham.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that when the
foresters had set watch over Sapley for the purpose of guarding
their bailiwick they met eight malefactors with greyhounds, who
when they saw the foresters forthwith fled. But the foresters took
one of them, by name Ealph of Fenton, who was sent to prison at
Huntingdon; and Philip of Stanton was then sheriff. Afterwards it
is proved by the verderers that he changed his name and caused
himself to be so called, wlien his real name was Hugh le Fekere,
and that he was afterwards drowned by accident. And because he
was harboured in the town of Warboys outside a tithing, therefore it
is in mercy. And it is witnessed by the same persons that he was im-
prisoned at Huntingdon and escaped therefrom ; therefore to judgment
for the escape upon Philip of Stanton who was then the sheriff'.
The same Hugh le Fekere when he was taken, indicted certain
persons, Osbert the marshall and Gervais the cook, of consorting with
him and of an evil deed to the king's venison. And it is proved by
18
SELFXTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
dimirlij
maica.
per viridarios qnocl dicti Osebertns et Geruasius fuerunt aperti male-
factores de venacione. Et Geruasius venit et liberatus fuit archi-
diacono ut patet supra inter placita.^ Et Osebertus modo non venit
nee aliquis uult eum manucapere uel pro eo respondere, ideo exigatur
et vtlagetur.
Preceptum fuit per Robertum ^ Passel' et socios suos iusticiarios
itinerantes vltimo hie ad placita foreste quod domus Vincencii de
Stanleg' (dimidia marca) in Litleheye leuate ad nocumentum foreste
prosternerentur ^ ; quod fuit inpeditum per quosdam Colinum de
Merton' et Ricardum de Toleslond' balliuos Philippi de Stanton' tunc
vicecomitis Hunt'. Et viridarii testantur quod eum ipsi et forestarii
venissent ad dictas * domos prosternendas sicut ^ fuit preceptum dicti
Colinus et Ricardus de Tolelind' inhibuerunt eis quod non pro-
sternerent illas '^ domos. Et cum forestarii manus dictis domibus
inposuissent ad illas discooperiendas et prosternendas dicti Colinus
(dimidia marca) et Ricardus (dimidia marca) ipsos vi repulserunt
dicentes quod nullo modo prosternere permitterent quia preceptum
Philippi de Stanton' tunc vicecomitis Hunt' inde habuerunt. Et
viridarii et forestarii ad ipsum vicecomitem accesserunt eidem inti-
mantes quale preceptum habuerunt de dictis domis prosternendis, et
quomodo per balliuos suos predictos per preceptum suum fuerunt
impediti. Et dictus vicecomes dixit quod nullum preceptum inde
habuerunt ah eo, set factum eorum penitus deaduocauit ; vnde sic
remanet preceptum iusticiariorum et comodum domini regis de pre-
dictis domibus prosternendis inperfectum. Et ideo preceptum est
vicecomiti quod faciat venire de die in diem dictos Colinum et
Ricardum. Postea venit Ricardus et non potuit dedicere quin
inpediret dictos forestarios et viridarios ut predictum est, et hoc sine
waranto ; ideo in misericordia.
Quidam damns captus fuit in campo de Weninton' die ^ Mercurii
proxima post festum sancti Gregorii anno tricesimo ut dicebatur.
Inquisicio facta fuit per villatas Valton' (j marca), Rauel' Parua
(dimidia marca), Ripton' Abbatis (alibi) et Weninton' (dimidia marca),
qui dicunt quod nichil sciunt. Et quia villate non venerunt plenarie
etc., ideo in misericordia.
Quedam dama inuenta fuit mortua morina in campo de Alcumbir".
Inquisicio fuit. Et quia villate de Alcumbir' (xx s), Parua Stiuekele
' See p. 13, supra.
2 The letters imtent ai^pointing Robert
and his fellows itinerant justices are not
enrolled ; but the amercements of their
eyre are enrolled in the Pipe Rolls of
29 Hen. III. ' MS. ' prosternarentur.'
* MS. 'dictos.'
^ This word is repeated in the MS.
" MS. ' alias.'
' 14 March 124^
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 1255 18
the verclerers that the said Osbert and Gervais were overt evil doers
to the venison. And Gervais came and was delivered to the arch-
deacon, as appears above among the pleas. And now Osbert does not
come, nor is anyone willing to be his mainperner or to answer for
him ; therefore let him be exacted and outlawed.
It was ordered by Eobert Passelewe and his fellow justices
last in eyre here for pleas of the forest that the houses of Vincent
of Stanley which had been raised to the nuisance of the forest
should be pulled down ; and the doing of this was hindered by certain
persons, Colin of Merton and Eichard of Toseland, the bailiffs of
Philip of Stanton the sheriff of Huntingdon. And the verderers
witness that when they and the foresters came to pull down the said
houses, as they were ordered, the said Colin and Eichard of Toseland
prohibited them from pulling them down. And when the foresters
laid their hands on the said houses to unroof and pull them down,
the said Colin and Eichard forcibly drove them back saying that they
w^ould not in any w^ay allow them to pull them down, because they
had the precept to that effect of Philip of Stanton, who was then the
sheriff of Huntingdon. And the verderers and foresters went to
the same sheriff", and told him the nature of their precept concerning
the houses to be pulled down, and how they were hindered by his
bailiff's aforesaid by his precept. And the said sheriff' said that they
had no order thereof from him, and disavowed their deed entirely ;
whereby the order of the justices and what was for the king's advan-
tage concerning the aforesaid houses to be pulled down remains
undone. And therefore the sheriff is ordered that he cause the said
Colin and Eichard to come from day to day. Afterwards Eichard
came ; and he could not deny that he impeded the said foresters and
verderers as is aforesaid, and this without warrant ; therefore he is in
mercy.
A certain buck was taken in the field of Wennington on the
Wednesday ^ next after the feast of St. Gregory in the thirtieth year,
as it was said. An inquisition was made by the townships of Walton,
Little Eaveley, Abbots Eipton and \\'ennington, who say that they
know nothing thereof. And because the townships did not come
fully etc. therefore they are in mercy.
A certain doe was found dead of murrain in the field of Alconbury.
There was an inquisition, and because the townships of Alconbury,
10
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
miseri-
cordie.
ij marce.
miseri-
coi-die.
ij marce.
muni rnm
infra fin'
abbatis de
XV j d.
exigatur et
vtlagetur.
(alilji), Wolfle (dimidia marca) et Etlynton' (j marca) non venerunt
plenarie etc. ideo in misericordia.
Quidam feto inventus fait in campo de Elynton' mortuus.
Inquisicio facta per villatas Elinton' (alibi), Wlfley (alibi), Alcumbir'
(alibi) et Brampton' (ij marce) qui nichil inde sciunt. Et quia non
venerunt plenarie, ideo in misericordia.
Quidam homo extraneus occisus inuentus fuit in Sappel'. Eicardus
Lenueyse forestarius pedes primus inuentor non venit nee fuit
attacliiatus, quia viridarii dicunt et testantur quod nullum fecerunt
attachiamentum de inuentore dicti mortui uel oceisi infra metas
foreste, scilicet, infra dominicum boscum domini regis, nee vnquam
aliquo tempore facere consueuerunt aliquod huiusmodi attachia-
mentum de inuentore nee de quatuor viscinis ; nee aliquam Englesch-
eriam ' presentauerunt racione assise foreste. Et quia lex terre
non debet deleri ut de morte hominis oceasione assise foreste pro-
cedendum est secundum formam placitorum corone. Nulla Englessch-
eria, ideo murdrum super hundredum de Hyrstingston'. Et quia
inquisicio fuit alias minus suffieienter facta, modo inquiratur per
viridarios et quatuor villatas propinquiores, scilicet, Herford', Eipton'
Eegis, Eipton' Abbatis et Magna Stiuecle, et eciam per totum
hundredum de Hyrstingston', qui dicunt super sacramentum suum
quod dictus Eicardus le Enueise et quidam "Willelmus de Cornubia
sunt malefactores de morte ilia. Et Willelmus fuit extraneus et
ignotus et statim post mortem illam recessit, uec actenus rediit, ideo
nichil de vtlageria ipsius. Et inquiratur de ipso etc. Et Eicardus
exigatur et vtlagetur. Catalla eius sexdecim denarii vnde lohannes-''
de Marynes viceeomes respondebit.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod homines
Hugonis persone de Yrecestr' venerunt in vigilia ■* Epiphanie anno
tricesimo cum quatuor leporariis in foresta de Wauberg' qui ouiaue-
runt hominibus Sj'monis Maufe, scilicet, Oliuero filio persone et
Willelmo de Esseby, qui omnes ceperunt vnum fetonem vnius anni.
Et forestarii superuenientes, scilicet, Galfridus de Mortuo Mari, Hugo
de Barleye, Symon de Graflia', lohannes de Copmanford', Eicardus
Genitas et Eicardus le Enueyse superuenerunt et ipsos Oliuerum et
"Willelmum et quendam Hugonem hominem dicti Hugonis persone
ceperunt. Et Hugo euasit de manibus dicti Eicardi le Enueise eui
fait traditus ad custodiendum, ipso Eicardo volente et consenciente ;
' See Publications of the Selden Society,
vol. 0, p. xliii. -' See p. 17, note 8.
' John of Mareham was appointed sheiuff
of Cambridge and Huntingdon on 17 May
1255. See Libt of Sheriffs.
* Friday, 5 January 124|.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 1255 ]9
Little Stukeley, "VVoolley and Ellington did not come fully etc., there-
fore they are in mercy.
A certain fawn was found dead in the field of Ellington. An-
inquisition was made by the townships of Ellington, Woolley, Alcon-
bury, and Brampton who know nothing thereof. And because they
did not come fully to make inquisition, therefore they are in mercy.
A certain stranger was found slain in Sapley. Eichard Lenveyse
the walking forester, who was the first finder, does not come, nor was
he attached, because the verderers say and witness that they made
no attachment of the finder of the said man who died or was slain
within the metes of the forest, to wit, within the king's demesne wood,
nor were they wont at any time to make any such attachment of the
finder nor of the four neighbours, nor did they present Englishry by
reason of the assize of the forest. And because the law of the land
concerning the death of a man ought not to be abated on account of
the assize of the forest, the procedure must be according to the form
of the pleas of the crown. No Englishry, therefore murder upon
the hundred of Hurstingstone. And because the inquisition was
before insufficiently made, let inquiry be made by the verderers and
four neighbouring townships, to wit, Hartford, King's Eipton, Abbots
Eipton and Great Stukeley, and also by the whole hundred of
Hurstingstone, who say upon their oath that the said Eichard
Lenveyse and a certain William of Cornwall are guilty of that death.
And William was a stranger and unknown, and immediately after
that death he went away, and as yet has not returned, therefore
nothing of his outlawry ; and let inquiry be made concerning him.
And let Eichard be exacted and outlawed. His chattels are six-
teen pence, whereof John of March am the sherift" will answer.
It was presented by the foresters and verderers that the men of
Hugh the parson of Irchester came on the vigil * of the Epiphany in
the thirtieth year with four greyhounds into the forest of Weybridge ;
and they met the men of Simon Maufe, to wit Oliver the son of the
parson and William of Ashby, who all took a fawn of a year old.
And the foresters coming up, that is to say Geoffrey de Mortemer,
Hugh of Barley, Simon of Grafham, John of Coppingford, Eichard
Genitas, and Eichard Lenveyse came up and took the same Oliver
and William and a certain Hugh the man of the said Hugh the
parson. And Hugh escaped from the hands of the said Eichard
Lenveyse, to whom he was delivered in custody, the same Eichard
being willing and consenting ; therefore to judgment with the said
20
SELECTIONS FROM THE EOKEST EYRE ROLLS
miseiicordie
vj s.
[j iiiarca.]
V tnarce.
Non sunt in
extractis ad
[soaeca-
rium].
ideo ad indicium de dictis forestariis de enasione ; et Oliuerus et
"Willelmus liberati fuerunt Philippo ' de Stanton' tunc vicecomiti
Hunt' ; et postea per breue domini regis deliberati fuerunt. Et
Oliuerus obiit et fuit essoniatus primo die ; ideo nichil de plegiis suis.
Et Willelmus venit et detentus est in prisona. Et attachiatus fuit
per Oliuerum de Wolfle (mortuus) et Rogerum le Blund (xij d) de
eadem, Petrum le Franceis (xij d) de eadem, lacobum de Weston (xij d)
in eadem, Kadulfum de Elington' (xij d) de eadem, Pieginaldum King
(xij d) de eadem, Thomam Attello (xij d) de eadem. Et quia non
presentauerunt eum primo die etc. ideo in misericordia. Et quia
Hugo persona de Yrecestr' receptauit homines suos qui euaserunt,
mandatum est episcopo Line' quod faciat eum venire etc. apud
Norbamt' in octabis sancti loliannis ^ etc. Et Eadulfus Piesun de
Brampton' (xij d), Philippus prepositus de Alcumbir' (iij s),
Willelmus Bissop (non est inuentus), lobannes le Clerc' de Brampton
(xij d) et Willelmus Grey de Nidenworth' (xij d) fuerunt plegii predicti
Eicardi le Enveyse, et modo non habent ipsum, ideo in misericordia.
Item plegii eiusdem postea inuenti Nicolaus de Merton' (alibi),
Godefridus de Molesworth' (ij s), Piadulfus de Brocbton' (mortuus) et
Henricus de Ripton' Regis (ij s). Postea dictus Willelmus de Esseby
venit et finem fecit pro vna marca.^ Et inuenit plegios 'quod non
de cetero ' et de dicta marca videlicet Rogerum de Wolfle, lohannem
prepositum de Alcumbir', lohannem de Wlfl', lohannem Canu' de
eadem, Osbertum filium Ricardi le Clerc' de Weston', Matheum Wlfle,
Thomam Attello de eadem, Rogerum le Blund' de eadem, Radulfum
de Bustelleys de eadem, Reginaldum le King' de eadem, lacobum ^ de
Weston', Petrum le Franceis. Postea venit apud Norhamt' predictus
Hugo persona de Irencestr' et finem fecit pro se et hominibus suis
l^er quinque marcas per pleuinam lobannis Caperun seuioris de
Siberton' et Willelmi Floribus de Irencestr'.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod Norman
Sampson, forestarius eques sub Galfrido de Childewich' tunc senescallo ■'
foreste, cepit quendam hominem existentem cum persona de Cole-
worth' sub Wauberg' infra agistamentum domini regis anno tricesimo
octauo ; et dictum hominem apud Houton' ad domum Willelmi Bering'
hospitis sui super vnam herciam eum ponens magnas penas ei intulit,
ita quod dedit ei duodecim denarios ut a dictis penis relaxaretur, et
])ostea dedit ei quinque solidos quod posset sub eo quietus recedere.
Item presentatum est per eosdem de ipso eodem, scilicet, quod
See p. 17, note 5.
MS.
■' 1 July l2o5.
.jHcobiis.'
'■' An error for ' Per imam uuircam.
Sec p. 14, note 8.
IIUXTIXGDOX EYRE, A.l). li!55 20
foresters concerning the escape. And Oliver and William were
delivered to Philip of Stanton, Avho was then sheriff of Huntingdon ;
and afterwards they were delivered by the king's writ. And Oliver
died, and he was essoined on the first day ; therefore nothing of his
pledges. And William comes and is detained in prison. And he
was attached by Oliver of Woolley, and Eoger le Blund of the same
town, Peter le Franceis of the same town, James of Weston in the
same town, Pialph of Ellington of the same town, Eeynold King of
the same town, Thomas Attello of the same town. And because they
did not present him the first day, therefore they are in mercy. And
because Hugh the parson of Irchester harboured his men who
escaped, an order is sent to the bishop of Lincoln that he cause him
to come at Northampton on the octave of St. John ^ etc. And Kalph
Eesun of Brampton, Philip the reeve of Alconbury, William Bissop,
John the clerk of Brampton and William Grey of Needingworth were
the pledges of the aforesaid Eichard Lenveyse, and now have him
not ; therefore they are in mercy. And pledges of the same were
afterwards found, Nicholas of Merton, Godfrey of Molesworth, Ealpli
of Broughton and Henry of King's Eipton. Afterwards the said
William of Ashby came and made fine by one mark. And he found
pledges ' quod non de cetero,' and of the said mark, to wit, Eoger of
Woolley, John the reeve of Alconbury, John Canun of the same town,
Osbert the son of Eichard the clerk of Weston, Mathew of Woolley,
Thomas Attello of the same town, Eoger le Blund of the same town,
Ealph of Bustelleys of the same town, Eeynold le King of the same
town, James of Weston and Peter le Franceis. Afterwards at North-
ampton came the aforesaid Hugh the parson of Irchester and made
fine by five marks for himself and his men by the pledge of John
Caperun the elder of Siberton and William of Floore of Irchester.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that Norman
Sampson, the riding forester under Geoffrey of 'Childwick then
steward of the forest, took a certain man at Weybridge who was with
the parson of Colworth within the time of the agistment of the lord
king in the thirty-eighth year ; and he took the said man to Houghton
to the house of William Bering his host, and he put him upon a
harrow, and pained him sorely, so that WiUiam gave to him twelve
pence that he might be released from the said pains, and afterwards
he gave to him five shillings that he might by his aid be able to with-
draw quit.
It is presented also by the same persons of the same person that
21
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
mandatuD
est.
quidam Norman garcio eiusdem simul cum ipso fuerunt malefactores
de venacioiie domini regis. Et quod idem Norman Sampson vendidit
tres quercus in Wauberg' ; et quod plures alias fecit transgressiones
dum fuit forestarius, ideo mandatum est vicecomiti "Warr' etc, quod
liabeat etc. apud Norhamt' in octabis sancti lohannis Baptiste etc.
Et quod idem vicecomes etc. quare non habuit etc. apud Hunt' etc.
in octabis sancti Barnabe apostoli sicut etc. Postea venit Norman
Sampso' apud Norhamt' et fecit finem per duas marcas per pleuinam
Henrici de Ludbroc' et Eustacliii de Watford', qui habent terras in
comitatu Norhamt'.
' Adhue de venacione.
2 Quidam feto inuentus fuit in bosco de Brampton' uuhieratus
quadam sagitta. Inquisicio facta, qui nichil sciunt. Et quia villate
de Brampton' (ahbi), EHngton' (alibi), Grafha' (dimidia marca) et
Edelinton' ^ (dimidia marca) non venerunt plenarie ; ideo in
misericordia.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod quidam damns
et vna hanchia venacionis et leporarius inuenti fuerunt in domo
magistri Henrici tunc rectoris scolarie Huntidon', qui Henricus et
Ptobertus submagister suus pro suspiccione dicte venacionis capti
fuerunt et hberati Phihppo * de Stanton' tunc vicecomiti Hunt' ; et de
dehberacione nichil ad presens. Et convictum est per viridarios quod
predictus Piobertus fuit apertus malefactor de venacione cum leporariis ;
et quod receptatus fuit in domo predicti Henrici qui fuit consenciens
malefactis suis de venacione. Et quia clerici sunt nee habent laicum
feodum per quod distriugi possunt, et B..^ bone memorie, tunc Line'
episcopus. . . .'^
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod Eadulfus de
Holecot' clerieus itinerans uersus Hunt' cum vno garcione, qui duxit
leporarios. Et euaserunt de manibus suis et i^rostrauerunt vnum
fetonem de etate vnius anni. Quod cum Ricardus Lenveyse forestarius
hoe percepisset cum esset prope, cepit dictum Eadulfum et garcionem
' EoU 5. The pleas on this roll are
earlier in date than those on KoU 6, which
are printed on pp. 11-21, but the order is
reversed, because the scribe wrote the head-
ing of the pleas on Eoll 6 instead of on
Roll 5. ' See p. 74.
^ The reading is clear, but probably Dill-
ington, which is the township mentioned in
the inquisition on p. 74, is intended.
* See p. 17, note 5.
* According to Mathew Paris, Robert
Grossetete died on 9 October 1253. See
Chronica Maiora, Rolls Series, vol. v. p.
407.
•* The sentence is unfinished in the
original.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. V255 21
a certain Norman his page and he himself were evil-doers to the
venison of the lord king, and that Norman Sampson sold three oaks
in Weybridge, and committed many other trespasses while he was a
forester ; therefore an order is sent to the sheriff of Warwick etc. to
have etc. at Northampton etc. on the octave of St. John the Baptist
etc. And that the same sheriff etc. why he had him not etc. at
Huntingdon etc. on the octave of St. Barnabas the Apostle as etc.
Afterwards Norman Sampson came to Northampton and made fine
by two marks by the pledge of Henry of Ludbrook and Eustace of
Watford, who have lands in the county of Northampton.
As yet of the venison.
A certain fawn was found in the wood of Brampton wounded with
a certain arrow. An inquisition was made, and the townships know
nothing. And because the townships of Brampton, EUington,
Grafham and DilUngton did not come fully, therefore they are in
mercy.
It was presented by the foresters and verderers that a certain
buck and one haunch of venison and a greyhound were found in the
house of master Henry then the rector of the school of Huntingdon.
And this Henry and Eobert his undermaster for suspicion of the said
venison were taken and delivered to Philip of Stanton then the sheriff
of Huntingdon; and of his dehvery nothing at present. And it is
proved by the verderers that the aforesaid Eobert was an overt evil
doer to the venison with greyhounds ; and that he was harboured in
the house of the aforesaid Henry, who was privy to his evil deeds to
the venison, and because they are clerks and have not a lay fee by
which they can be distrained, and R. of good memory then bishop of
Lincoln. . . .
It was presented by the foresters and verderers that Ealph of
Holcot a clerk was journeying towards Huntingdon with a page who led
greyhounds. And they escaped from his hands and brought down a
fawn of a year old. And when Eichard Lenveyse the forester, being
near, saw this, he took the said Ealph and his page and the greyhounds ;
9S>.
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
exigantur et
suum et leporarios qui missi fuerunt domino ^ E. Passel'.^ Et Eadulfus
liberatus fuit Pbilippo'' de Stanton' tunc vicecomiti Hunt' qui non
venit nee de deliberacione sua uel aliorum inprisonatorum tempore
suo aliquid respondet ; ideo preceptum est vicecomiti Hunt' quod
capiat etc, quod sit coram iusticiariis de die in diem etc. Et quia
viridarii, scilicet, Symon de Copmanford', lohannes Ballard' de sancto
Yuone, Eobertus Wyne, et Eicardus Port' et Galfridus"* de Mortuo
Mari tunc senescallus foreste nullam fecerunt mencionem in rotulis
suis de nomine dicti garcionis, nee de deliberacione uel euasione sua
vnde negocium domini regis quantum ad dictum garcionem penitus
remanet inperfectum ; ideo in misericordia. Et de Eadulfo de
Holecot' ponitur in respectum usque ad placita apud Norhamt' propter
absenciam dicti Philippi de Stanton' vicecomitis de quo preceptum
est ut supra. Et quia viridarii non debent nee possunt inrotulare in
rotulis suis ni&i presentacionem forestariorum ; et forestarii nicbil
presentauerunt de predictis ; ideo inde quieti. Et ad iudicium de
euasione super Galfridum de Mortuo Mari eo quod habet cartam
domini regis etc.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod Eogerus le
Despens', Willelmus de Line' et Eogerus venator venerabilis patris
E. quondam Line' episcopi die'' Sabbati proxima post Ascensionera
Domini anno trieesimo primo ceperunt vnum damum in bosco de
Dudington'. Et non fuerunt attachiati quia euaserunt antequam
capi possent ; ideo exigantur et vtlagentur.
Presentatum est quod quidam damus captus fuit in Limining' de
qua capcione inquisicio fuit facta per villatas de Graflia' (alibi), Pyrie
(dimidia marca), Elington' (alibi) et Biehamsted' (dimidia marca)
qui dicunt quod homines equites et pedites eurrebant fugando quandam
bestiam in Limining' ; set neseiebant qui fuerunt. Et quia predicte
villate non venerunt plenarie ad inquirendum, ideo in misericordia.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod quidam Henricus
filius Petri le Noble de Bokeden' et quidam alius ignotus sequuti
' It must be remembered that the Latin
word ' dominus,' like the English word
' Sir,' did not imply knighthood. Robert
Passelewe was not a knight, but a cleric
and an archdeacon.
2 Eobert Passelewe acted as justice of
the forest south of the Trent about this
time, but his appointment is apparently
not recorded on the Patent Rolls. He was
succeeded in the office by Geoli'rey of
Langlcy, who was appointed on 4 March
12-\;. (See Piitcnt Roll 50, mcuib. 7.)
Robert Passelewe was also appointed warden
of the forests between Stamford bridge and
Oxford bridge in succession to Thomas le
Mansel by letters patent dated 15 February
124|. (See Patent Roll 55, memb. 6.)
'•' See p. 17, note 5.
^ There is no enrolment of the appoint-
ment of Geoli'rey de Mortemer as steward
of the forest, and it is probable that, like
Hugh of Goldingham, he was only deputy
steward. See p. 11, note 7.
' 11 May 1247.
IIUXTIXGDON EYRE, A.D. lL>r,5 22
which were sent to Sir Eohert Passelewe. And Ralph was delivered
to Philip of Stanton then sheriff of Huntingdon, who does not come
nor makes answer of his delivery or of the delivery of other persons
imprisoned in his time. Therefore the sheriff of Huntingdon is
ordered to take etc. that he be before the justices from day to day
etc. And because the verderers, to wit Simon of Coppingford, John
Ballard of St. Ives, Robert Wynne and Richard Porter, and Geoffrey
de Mortemer then the steward of the forest, made no mention in their
rolls of the name of the said page, nor of his delivery, nor of his
escape, and the business of the king so far as it relates to the said
boy is entirely undone, therefore they are in mercy. And of Ralph
of Holcot matters are respited until the pleas at Northampton on
account of the absence of the said Philip of Stanton the sheriff about
whom it was ordered as above. And because the verderers ought not
and are not able to enrol anything in their rolls except a present-
ment of the foresters, and the foresters presented nothing of the
matters aforesaid, they are therefore quit thereof. And to judgment
with Geoffrey de Mortemer as to the escape, on the ground that he
has the king's charter.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that Roger le
Despenser, William of Lincoln, and Roger the hunter of the venerable
father R. formerly bishop of Lincoln on the Saturday ■' next after Ascen-
sion day in the thirty-first year took a buck in the wood of Did-
dington. And they were not attached because they escaped before
they could be taken ; therefore let them be exacted and outlawed.
It is presented that a certain buck was taken in Lymage ; and an
inquisition was made about it by the townships of Grafham, Perry,
Ellington and Beechampstead which say that men on horseback
and on foot were hunting a certain beast in Lymage ; but they did
not know who they were. And because the four townships did not
come fully to the inquisition, therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that a certain Henry
the son of Peter le Noble of Buckden and a certain other unknown
23
SELECTIONS FEOM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
V] maree
coi-die.
miseri-
cordie.
alibi.
niiseri-
cordie.
fuerunt quendam brokettum fugando eum ultra aquam cum duobus
leporariis usque villam Offoi'd' Cluny ; et ibidem ipsum ceperunt et
ipsum secum asportauerunt integrum retro vltra aquam. Et dictus
Henricus obiit. Et convictum est per viridarios quod [dictus ignotus
vocabatur] ^ Eogerus Yenator, qui habet terram apud Bukeden, fuit cum
eo. Et preceptum est vicecomiti quod distringat ipsum per terras
etc. quod habeat eum de die in diem etc. Et quia villate Offord'
Cluny (xx s), Offord' Denays (xx s), Gummecestr' (xl s), et Brampton'
(alibi) non venerunt plenarie ; ideo in misericordia.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod die^ Martis
proxima ante Purificacionem beate Marie anno tricesimo quod ^ due
dame capte fuerunt in Sappel'. Inquisicio facta fuit per quatuor
villatas Eypton' Abbatis, Magnam Stiuecle, Hereford' et Rypton' Eegis,
que nicliil inde potuerunt inquirere. Et quia villate non venerunt
etc., ideo in misericordia.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod quidam damns
inuentus fuit uulneratus in bosco de Brampton'. Et inquisicio facta
fuit per quatuor villatas Brampton', Grafha', Dylincton' "^ et Elyngton'
que nicliil inde sciunt. Et quia villate non venerunt etc. ; ideo in
misericordia.
^ Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod quedam bestia
capta fuit sub Wauberg' cuius intestina iuuenta fuerunt in parco sub
Wauberg' per forestarios pedites, scilicet, Eobertum de Skipton' et
Eicardum le Waleys. Inquisicio facta fuit per villatas propinquiores
Alcumbir', Wolfle, Elinton' et Brampton' qui nicliil aliud inde sciunt.
Et quia villate non venerunt etc. ; ideo in misericordia.
^ Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod Galfridus filius
Stepliani Swyft inuentus fuit in haya domini regis de Waberg' die ^
Lune proxima ante festum sancti lohannis Baptiste anno tricesimo
secundo cum arcu et quinque sagittis barbatis. Et captus per
forestarios, scilicet, per loliannem Bere et loliannem Prentuit, qui
Galfridus statim cognouit se cepisse duos fetones et illos tradidisse
Eogero filio Pliilippi de Alcumbir'. Et quia prisona de Hunt' fuit
fracta ductus fuit apud Herford' et traditus per ballium villate de
' The words in brackets are iiiterlineated
in the MS.
'■" 30 January 124|.
^ Tliis word is perhaps written in error
for ' secundo,' in which case the date of
tlie trespass would be 28 January 124|.
^ The word ' ahbi ' in tlie margin means
that the amercement is entered elsewhere
in the roll. Thus, where a township is re-
corded to have been in mercy more than
once, an amercement is written above its
name in the enrolment of the first offence,
and the word ' alibi ' is similarly written in
the enrolment of subsequent offences. Now,
as Dillington has not occurred before, it is
probable that the ' alibi ' here refers to the
word ' Edelinton ' on the preceding page.
' See p. 74.
' See p. 75.
• 22 June 1248.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 12-55 23
person followed a certain brocket, and hunted it across the water
with two greyhounds as far as the town of Offord Cluney ; and there
they took it and carried the whole of it back again across the water.
And the said Henry died. And it is proved by the verderers that
the said unknown person who was with him was called Eobert the
hunter ; and he has land at Buckden. And the sheriff is ordered to
distrain him by his lands, etc. that he may have him from day to
day, etc. And because the townships of Offord Cluney, Offord
Darcy, Godmanchester and Brampton did not come fully to the
inquisition, therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that on the Tuesday -
next before the Purification of the Blessed Mary in the thirtieth
3^ear two does were taken in Sapley. An inquisition was made by
four townships of Abbots Ripton, Great Stukeley, Hartford and King's
Eipton, who could ascertain nothing thereof. And because the town-
ships did not come etc. ; therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that a certain buck
was found wounded in the wood of Brampton ; and an inquisition
was made by the four townships Brampton, Graf ham, Dillington and
Ellington, who know nothing thereof; and because the townships did
not come etc. ; therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that a certain beast
was taken at Weybridge, of which the entrails were found in the park
at Weybridge by the walking foresters, that is to say Robert of Skipton
and Richard the Welshman. An inquisition was made by four
neighbouring townships, Alconbury, Woolley, Ellington and Brampton,
who know nothing else thereof ; and because the townships did not
come etc. ; therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that Geoffrey the
son of Stephen Swift was found in the king's enclosure of Weybridge on
the Monday ^ next before the feast of St. John the Baptist in the thirty-
second year with a bow and five barbed arrows. And he was taken
by the foresters, that is to say by John Bere and John Prentut. And
Geoffrey immediately acknowledged that he had taken two fawns and
handed them over to Roger the son of Philip of Alconbury. And
because the prison of Huntingdon was broken, he was brought to
Hartford, and delivered in bail to the township of Alconbury ; and
now he does not come : therefore let him be exacted and outlawed ; and
24
SELECTIONS FEOM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
exigatur et
vtlagetur.
perdonatv
gaolle.
plegii
quod etc.
Alcumbir'. Et inodo non venit ; ideo exigatur et vtlagetur ; et villata de
Alcumbir' in misericordia. Et Eogerus filius Philippi et Philippus
pater ipsius convicti de receptamento raalefacti sui, capti fuerunt
et inprisonati apud Her ford', et postea per breue E.' Passel' capi-
talis iusticiarii deliberati fuerunt per pleuinam lohannis filii Nicolai,
Elie Seleg', Nicolai filii Alicie, Willelmi de Aula, Eicardi Gody et
aliorum. Et quia non habuerunt prime die etc. (perdonatur) ;
ideo in misericordia. Et ^ Philippus et Eogerus modo veniunt ; et
detenti sunt in prisona. Postea convictum est per viridarios quod
lohannes le Bere tunc forestarius cepit duas marcas de Willelmo filio
Fabr' de Alcumbir' per sic quod permitteret ipsum abire quietum ;
ideo committitur gaolle. Iterum convictum est per eosdem viridarios
quod predictus Willelmus filius Fabr' non fuit culpabilis de aliquo
malefacto ; ideo inde quietus. Postea venit lohannes le Bere et
finem fecit per vnam mar cam pro transgression e. Plegii de dictis
tribus marcis Willelmus le Moyne, Symon de Eypton', magister
Eicardus de Toleslond', magister Gilbertus de Wepsted, Eicardus de
Catteworth'jEobertus Freman de Wauton', Willelmus de Catteworth'.
Postea venit dicti Philippus et Eogerus. Et Philippus finem fecit per
vnam marcam et Eogerus per dimidiam marcam. Plegii dicti Philippi
de fine Willelmus de Alcumbir' et Elias le Lord' de eadem. Idem
vna cum subscriptis manucapiunt quod non decetero etc. lohannes
filius Nicolai de eadem, Elias Seled de eadem, Willelmus filius Eoberti
de eadem, Eicardus in Angulo, Elias ad Solium, Eicardus Paie,
Eogerus Aldit, Willelmus filius Hugonis, Samuel in Lana, Willelmus
Long', Alanus fiHus Alani. Et plegii dicti Eogeri quod non decetero
Willelmus Secrestein de eadem, Nicolaus Tixtor', Henricus Franceis,
Nicolaus filius Hawis, lohannes Canu', lohannes de Wlfli, Walterus de
Eston', lohannes filius Willelmi, Turstan filius Marg', Simon Kuit,
Symon filius Gregor', Stephanus West.
^ Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod duo leporarii
secuti fuerunt vnum damum sub haya de Wauberg', set nemo visus
fuit cum illis. Tandem quidam Stephanus Fot et Galfridus filius
Osberti inuenti fuerunt in campis, quos forestarii ceperuntet duxerunt
apud Herford' ad inprisonandum eos ibidem. Et Galfridus euasit a
custodia forestariorum ; et Stephanus fuit inprisonaius. Postea facta
fuit inquisicio per villatas Alcumbir' (alibi), Wolle (alibi), Bokesworth'
(j marca) et Brampton' (alibi) qui nichil inde sciunt nee inquirere
potuerunt, cuius leporarii fuerunt; nee predictos Stephanum et
Galfridum habuerunt suspectos nee de aliquo malefacto in foresta ;
' See p. '22, note 2. -' The word ' quia ' is here inserted in the roll. ■' See p. 75.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. V2", 24
the township of Alconbury is in mercy. And Pioger the son of Phihp
and Phihp the father of this Eoger, being convicted of receiving his
evil deed, were taken and imprisoned at Hartford ; and afterwards, by
the writ of Robert Passelewe the chief justice, they were dehvered on
the pledge of John the son of Nicholas, Elias Selegh, Nicholas the son
of Alice, William of the Hall, Pilchard Gody and others. And because
they had them not on the first day, therefore they are in mercy.
And Philip and Eoger now come, and they are detained in prison.
Afterwards it was proved by the verderers that John le Bere, who was
then a forester, took two marks from William the son of the smith of
Alconbury for permitting him to go quit ; therefore he is committed
to gaol. Again it is proved by the same verderers that the aforesaid
William the son of the smith is not guilty of any evil deed ; therefore
he is quit thereof. Afterwards John le Bere came and made fine by
one mark for bis trespass. Pledges of the said thrfe marks, William
le Moin, Simon of Ripton, Master Richard of Toseland, Master Gilbert
of Wepstead, Richard of Catworth, Robert Freeman of Walton and
William of Catworth. Afterwards the said Philip and Roger came ;
and Philip made fine by one mark, and Roger by half a mark.
Pledges of the said Philip for his fine, William of Alconbury and
Elias le Lord of the same town. The same persons with the under-
written undertake that he will not in future etc. : John the son of
Nicholas of the same town, Elias Selegh of the same town, William
the son of Robert of the same town, Richard atte Nook, Elias atte Loft,
Richard Paie, Roger Aldit, William the son of Hugh, Samuel Inthelane,
William Long and Alan the son of Alan. And the pledges of the said
Roger that he will not in future etc. are William Secrestein of the
same town, Nicholas the weaver, Henry Franceis, Nicholas the son
of Hawis, John Canun, John of Woolley, Walter of Easton, John the
son of William, Thurston the son of Margery, Simon Kuit, Simon the
son of Gregory and Stephen West.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that two greyhounds
followed a buck at the enclosure of Weybridge but nobody was seen
with them. At length certain men Stephen Foot and Geoffrey the son
of Osbert were found in the fields, and the foresters took tbem and
brought them to Hartford to imprison them there, and Geoffrey
escaped from the custody of the foresters, and Stephen was im-
prisoned. Afterwards an inquisition was made, by the townships of
Alconbury, Woolley, Buckworth and Brampton who knew and could
ascertain nothing thereof, nor whose were the greyhounds, nor did
they hold the aforesaid Stephen and Geoffrey in suspicion of any evil
25 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
ideo dictus Stephanus inde fuit quietus coram forestariis et viridariis.
Et catalla eius ilia occasione confiscata ei liberata fuerunt. Et quia
predicte villate non venerunt etc. ; ideo in misericordia.
Henricus de Folkesworth' (pauper), Willelmus Cardun (alibi),
Eicardus de Gidding' (dimidia marca), Henricus de Stiuecle (dimidia
marca), Yincencius de Stanle (j marca), Simon le Noble (dimidia
marca), Eadulfus Byscj^ de Eolkesworth' (dimidia marca), Willelmus
Heest de Billington' (ij s), Henricus de Bukes\Yortli' (ij s), "Willelmus
de Alcumbir' (pauper), Willelmus de Weston' (dimidia marca),
Willelmus Heldegar (alibi) regardatores non reddiderunt rotulos suos
11] marce
dimidia,
iiij s.
cordia. primo die, ideo omnes in misericordia
' Adhuc de venacione.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod Willelmus Bericli'
ij s- (ij s) hospes Normani Sampson forestarii eques '^ liabuit duas filias
euntes singulis diebus in Wauberg' et inde portantes siccum et viride
apud Hunt' ad uendendum ; et inde emerunt cibum dicti Normani ;
et quod idem Willelmus liabuit aueria sua in Wauberg' sicut ei placuit
ex permissione dicti Normani, Qui Willelmus venit et non potuit hoc
gaoiie. dedicere, ideo committatur gaoUe etc.
Magister Eobertus le Baud' de hospitale Huntind' venit coram
iusticiariis et allegauit dicens quod dominus rex non debuit habere
attachiamenta de viridi et venacione ; et quod nee forestarii neque
viridarii debent aliquod attachiamentum inde facere in villa Hunt' ;
et hoc voluit omni modo sustinere, ita quod propter garulacionem
suam curia mota fuit et negocia domini regis inpedita ; ideo com-
mittitur gaolle. Postea inuenit plegios Gilbertum de Wepston' et
dimidia lolianiiem Eussel de Graffha'. Postea taxatur ad dimidiam marcam.
^Yillate de Elinton,' Brampton', Parua Stiuecl', et Alcumbir'
veniunt et dicunt quod solent et debent habere communam herbagii
in Wauberg' ad omnia aueria sua ; eo quod terre sue arabiles et prata
sua falcabilia extendunt se et abuttant super dominicum boscum
domini regis de Wauberg', que terre et prata vastantur per feras
domini regis, ita quod nullum inde habent proficuum nee habere
possunt ; et ea occasione habuerunt communam predictam tempore
regum predecessorum domini regis nunc ; et eciam anno quinto regni
' Roll 5, in clorso. • This word is so extended in the roll. ^ Eoll 4, in dorso.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 12.55 25
deed in the forest ; therefore the said Stephen was quit thereof before
the foresters and verderers. And his chattels confiscated on that
account were dehvered to him. And because the aforesaid townships
did not come etc. ; therefore they are in mercy.
Henry of Folksworth, WilHam Cardun, Eichard of Gidding, Henry
of Stukeley, Vincent of Stanley, Simon le Noble, Ealph Discy of
Folksworth, William Heest of Billington, Henry of Buckworth,
William of Alconbury, William of Weston, William Heldegar, the
regarders did not render their rolls the first day, therefore all of them
are in mercy.
As yet of the venison.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that William Berich
the host of Norman Sampson the riding forester had two daughters
who go every day to Weybridge and carry therefrom dry and
green wood to sell at Huntingdon ; and therewith they buy victuals
for the said Norman ; and that the same William had his beasts in
Weybridge as he pleased by permission of the said Norman. And
William came and could not deny this, therefore let him be sent to
gaol.
Master Kobert le Baud of the hospital of Huntingdon came
before the justices and alleged that the lord king ought not to
have attachments either of vert or of venison ; and that neither the
foresters nor the verderers ought to make any attachment thereof in
the town of Huntingdon. And this he wished to establish in every
sort of way, so that by his chatter the court was disturbed and the
business of the lord king hindered ; therefore he is committed to gaol.
Afterwards he found pledges, Gilbert of Wepston, and John Russell of
Grafham. Afterwards he is taxed at half a mark.
*******
The townships of Ellington, Brampton, Little Stakeley and Alcon-
bury come and say that they are accustomed and ought to have common
of herbage in Weybridge for all their beasts, on the ground that their
arable lands and their meadows which are fit to be mown extend to
and abut upon the lord king's demesne wood of Weybridge ; and that
their lands and meadows are wasted by the deer of the lord king ;
so that they have not nor can have any profit therefrom; and
on that account they had the aforesaid common in the time of the
predecessors of the lord king who now is ; and also in the fifth year of
2G
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
regis nunc fuerunt in seysiua donee quidam Walterus ^ filius Eoberti
tunc senescallus foreste in comitatu Hunt' ipsos eiecit et extra ipsam
communam toto tempore suo tenuit ; et vnusquisque senescallus post
Loquendum. alterum usque nunc eodem niodo.
Yillate de Herford' et Eypton' Eegis dicunt quod solent et debent
habere communam herbagii in Sappel' eo quod dicte villate aliquando
fuerunt dominica maneria regis ; et tunc concessum fuit per reges
antecessores regis qui nunc est quod haberent communam dicti
herbagii dando inde singulis annis die sancti lohannis Baptiste pro
singulis quatuor aueriis vnum denarium tantummodo ; et sic
habuerunt communam dieti herbagii tempore regum predecessorum
domini regis qui nunc est ; et eciam anno regis nunc quinto fuerunt
inde in seysina donee quidam Walterus filius Eoberti tunc senescallus
foreste in isto comitatu ipsos eiecit et extra dictam communam toto
tempore suo tenuit ; et quilibet senescallus vnusquisque post alterum
Loquendum. eodem modo ipsos tenuit.
Willelmus de Up^vode bailliuus vicecomitis Hunt' queritur de
Thoma de Beyuill' quod cum ipse per preceptum iusticiariorum veuis-
set ad domum dicti Thome ad ipsum distringendum quod veniret cum
rotulis patris sui defuncti de tempore quo fait viridarius regis, et ipse
Thomas non esset tunc domi, dixit Eeginaldo seruienti ipsius Thome
quod venerat occasione predicta et quod scire faceret domino suo, et
interim expectaret de ipsa districcioue facienda. Quod cum domino
suo hoc scire fecisset dominus suus ei reman dauit quod non per-
mitteret ipsum Willelmum aliquam districcionem super ipsum facere.
Hoc audito, dictus Willelmus dixit quod faceret districcionem ut
prius et cepit duos equos occasione predicta. Et dictus Eeginaldus
seruiens dicti Thome et Gilebertus de Upton' seruiens eiusdem ipsum
insequebantur et dictos equos ab eo abstulerunt et eum uerberauerunt
et male tractauerunt contra pacem etc. Et profert testes etc.
jmarca. Postea de dicto Thoma et hominibus suis vna marca de
amerciamento,
Et Eeginaldus et Gilebertus - veniunt et cognoscunt quod abstule-
gaioia. I'unt dictos equos sicut predictum est, ideo committuntur in gayola.
Et dictus Thomas (j marca) manucepit coram vicecomite ad habendum
dictos Reginaldum et Gilebertum coram iusticiariis, et non habuit ad
miseri- horam ; ideo in misericordia. Et post indicium venerunt predicti
curdia. .
Eeginaldus et Gilebertus, ut predictum est.
' There is no enrolment of the appoint-
ment of Walter the son of Robert on the
Patent Rolls.
- In place of this word the MS. hi
Willelmus,' which is obviously an error.
HUNTINGDON EYRE, A.D. 1255 26
the reign of the lord king who now is, they were in seisin until a
certain Walter the son of Eobert who was then steward of the forest
in the county of Huntingdon ejected them and kept them out of that
common all his time ; and every steward one after another until now
kej)t them out in the same way.
The townships of Hartford and King's Ripton say that they are
wont and ought to have common of herbage in Sapley, on the ground
that the said townships sometime were demesne manors of the king ;
and at that time it was granted by the kings, ancestors of the king
who now is, that they should have common of the said herbage, giving
therefor in every year on the feast of St. John the Baptist for every
four beasts one penny only ; and so they had common of the said
herbage in the time of the kings, predecessors of the king who now is ;
and also in the fifth year of the king who now is they were in seisin
thereof until a certain Walter the son of Robert, who was then steward
of the forest in this county, ejected them and kept them out of the
said common in all his time ; and every steward one after the other
kept them out in the same way.
William of Upwood, bailiff of the sheriff of Huntingdon, complains
of Thomas de Beyville that, whereas he came by order of the justices
to the house of the said Thomas to distrain him to come with the rolls
of his father, deceased, of the time when he was the king's verderer,
and whereas the said Thomas was not at home, he told Reynold the
servant of the same Thomas that he had come for the purpose afore-
said, and that he should inform his lord, and that in the meantime he
would wait to make that distress. And when he had made this known
to his lord, his lord sent back word that he would not permit this
William to make any distress upon him. And when he heard this the
said William said that he would make the distress as before, and took
two horses for the purpose aforesaid. And the said Reynold the servant
of the said Thomas and Gilbert of Upton the servant of the same
Thomas followed him, and took the said horses from him and beat him
and ill treated him against the peace etc. And he produces witnesses.
Afterwards of the said Thomas and his men a mark for an
amercement.
And Reynold and Gilbert come and acknowledge that they took
away the said horses as is aforesaid ; therefore they are sent to
gaol. And the said Thomas undertook before the sheriff to have the
said Reynold and Gilbert before the justices, and he had them not at
the appointed time, therefore he is in mercy. And after judgment
the aforesaid Reynold and Gilbert came as is aforesaid.
27
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
V (a).i
PLACITA FOEESTE IN COMITATU NORTHAMT' CORAM W.
LE BRITON', NICHOLAO DE ROMES', GALFRIDO DE
LEUCKNOR' ET SYMONE DE TROP lUSTICIARIIS AD
PLACITA FORESTE IN CRASTINO'^ SANCTI lOHANNIS
BAPTISTE ANNO REGNI REGIS HENRICI TRICESIMO
NONO.
miseri-
coirlie.
'Adhuc de venaeioue in balliua de Roginham.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios et convictum quod die ^
Martis in festo Gule Aiigusti anno vicesimo nono, cum Henricus de
sancto Licio et alii forestarii vidissent malefactores in foresta cum
arcubus et sagittis et super ipsos hutesium leuassent, villata de
Wadenho noluit venire nee sequi hutesium ; ideo qui presentes sunt
de eadem villa committuntur prisone, et tota villata in graui miseri-
cordia. Inquisicio fuit facta de dictis malefactoribus per quatuor
propinquiores villatas, Audewincle, Wadenho, Pylketon' et Lyueden',
que nichil inde inquirere potuerunt ; et quia non venerunt plenarie
ad inquirendum, ideo in miserieordia. Et testatum est quod Wadenho
veniens ad inquirendum, noluit respondere ad aliquam inquisicionem ;
ideo in miserieordia ut prius. Et quia dicti malefactores perrexerunt
ad loggiam cuiusdam Willelmi filii Willelmi le Messer de Wadenho et
nichil inde voiuit dicere ; ideo inuenit plegios veniendi coram iusti-
ciariis. Et modo non venit, ideo plegii in miserieordia, videlicet,
Robertus Neubond et Robertus Stannard' de Wadenho. Et pre-
ceptum est vicecomiti quod venire faciat etc. dictum Willelmum.
Postea venit Willelmus et requisitus qui essent dicti malefactores, qui
dicit quod nescit et preceptum est quod custodiatur.
Presentatum est et convictum per forestarios et viridarios quod
die '"' Sabbati proxima post festum sancti Dyonisii anno vicesimo nono
quidam coerus percussus fuit quadam sagitta in parco de Bricstok' ;
et tres homines visi fuerunt sequentes dictum coerum. Et forestarii
non ausi fuerunt exclamare dictos malefactores. Et dicti forestarii
euntes et querentes auxilium et, quando redierunt, inuenerunt dictum
' Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Receipt, No. 68. - Friday, 25 June 1255.
s Eoll 3. ■" August 1245. ^ 11 October 1245.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1255 27
V (a).
PLEAS OF THE FOEEST IN THE COUNTY OF NOETH-
AMPTON BEFOEE WILLIAM LE BEETON, NICHOLAS OF
ROMSEY, GEOFFEEY OF LEWKNOEE AND SIMON OF
THOEP JUSTICES FOE PLEAS OF THE FOEEST ON
THE MOEEOW^ OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST IN THE
THIETY-NINTH YEAE OF THE EEIGN OF KING HENEY.
As yet of the venison in the bailiwick of Rockingham.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers and proved that on
Tuesday ^ the feast of the Gule of August in the twenty-ninth year,
when Henry de Senlis and other foresters had seen evil doers in
the forest with bows and arrows and had raised the hue upon them,
the township of Wadenhoe refused to come and follow the hue, there-
fore those from the same town who are present are committed to
prison, and all the township is in grievous mercy. An inquisition
was made concerning the said evil doers by the four neighbour-
ing townships Aldwinkle, Wadenhoe, Pilton and Lyveden who could
ascertain nothing thereof. And because they did not come fully to
the inquisition, therefore they are in mercy. And it is witnessed that
Wadenhoe came to the inquisition but refused to make answer; there-
fore it is in mercy as before. And because the said evil doers proceeded
to the lodge of a certain William the son of William the reaper of
Wadenhoe, and he refused to say anything thereof, therefore he
found pledges of coming before the justices. And now he does not
come, therefore his pledges are in mercy, to wit Robert Newbond and
Robert Stannard of Wadenhoe. And the sheriff is ordered to cause
the said William to come etc. Afterwards the said William came,
and being asked who the said evil doers were, says that he does
not know ; and it is ordered that he be kept in custody.
It is presented and proved by the foresters and verderers that on
the Saturday ^ next after the feast of St. Denis in the twenty-ninth
year a certain soar was struck with a certain arrow in the park at
Brigstock ; and three men were seen following the said soar ; and the
foresters did not dare to hail the said evil doers. And the said
foresters went and sought aid ; and when they returned they found
28 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
coei'Lim mortuum et ligatum super qnandam arborem. Inquisicio
facta per quatuor villatas propinquiores Geytinton', Stanern',
Bricstok' et Buton', que nichil hide potuerunt inquirere. Et quia non
miseri- veiierunt plenarie etc. ; ideo in misericordia.
cordie.
Presentatum est per eosdem quod Willelmus de Forestal
forestarius in balliua de Ferma, suspectus de malefactis venacionis,
attachiatus fuit ; et modo venit. Et Eobertus Basset', Kicardus de
Audewinchel' et lohannes Leueth' viridarii dicunt quod non est
culpabilis nee suspectus de aliquo malefacto ; ideo inde quietus.
Et quia presentauerunt in rotulis suis primo ipsum Willelmum sus-
pectum, et modo penitus ipsum aquietant, ideo responsuri domino regi
de redempcione dicti Willelmi. Item viridarii quieti quia alibi.
' Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod die ^ Mercurii in
crastina sanctorum Philippi et lacobi cum Willelmus de Norhamt' et
Eogerus de Tingewik' venissent de placitis de Stanerne eundo uersus
Eoweir datum fuit eis intelligi quod bersatores fuerunt in landa de
Benifeld'. Et statim dicti Willelmus et Eogerus et lacobus de Torle-
berg' et Matheus frater eius, forestarii equites, et forestarii pedites cum
eis cum festinancia iuerunt illuc vt dictos bersatores caperent ; qui
cum venirent in foresta dicti malefactores dictos forestarios insul-
tauerunt et dictum Matheum, fratrem dicti lacobi de Torleberg'
forestarii, bersauerunt, ita quod dictus Matheus inde obiit. Et dicti
malefactores tunc uersi fuerunt in fugam. Et propter noctis obscuri-
tatem et bosci spissitudinem non potuerunt persequi, ita quod
euaserunt. Et facta fuit inquisicio per quatuor villatas propinquiores,
Stoke, Carleton', Magna ^ Acle et Corby que dixerunt quod dicti male-
factores visi fuerunt cum arcubus et sagittis et balistis et leporariis,
et quod euaserunt set non potuerunt inquirere qui fuerunt. Et quia
mism- (Jicte vihate non venerunt etc., ideo in misericordia.
cordie _ ......
■* Item, postea facta fuit inquisicio inde coram vicecomite per milites
et probos homines qui nichil aliud inde potuerunt inquirere ; set
dictus lacobus de Torleberg' frater dicti Mathei occisi dixit quod vidit
leporarios Symonis de Kyuelmworth' vbi frater suus occisus, ob quod
idem Symon fuit captus et inprisonatus apud Norhamt' tempore
Alani -^ de Maydewiir tunc vicecomitis. Et quia nullus respondit de
precfptum. dcliberacione dicti Symonis, ideo preceptum est vicecomiti quod
venire faciat lohannem filium Alani qui habet custodiam terre et
' See p. 79. - 2 May 1246. ' See p. 81.
^ The adjectives ' magna ' and ' parua ' ^ Alan of Maidwell was sheriff of the
are often treated as indeclinable when county of Northampton from 2 November
forming part of place names. 1242 till 14 June 1248. See List of Sheriffs.
NOETIIAMPTOXSIIIRE EYRE, A.D. 1255 28
the said soar dead and bound to a certain tree. An inquisition was
made by four neighbouring townships Geddington, Stanion, Brigstock
and Boughton who could ascertain nothing thereof ; and because they
did not come fully etc., therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the same persons that William of Foresthill,
the forester in the bailwick of Farm, being suspected of evil deeds to
the venison, was attached ; and now he came. And Eoberfc Basset,
Eichard of Aldwinkle and John Lovet, the verderers, say that he is
not guilty nor is he suspected of any evil deed ; therefore he is quit.
And because they presented in their rolls on the first day that William
was suspected and now they entirely acquit him, therefore they must
answer to the lord king for the ransom of the said William. Item,
the verderers are quit, because the amercement is elsewhere.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that on Wednes-
day ^ the morrow of St. Philip and St. James when William of North-
ampton and Eoger of Tingewick had come from the pleas of Stanion
and were going towards Eothwell they were given to understand
that poachers were in the lawn of Beanfield. And forthwith the said
William and Eoger and James of Thurlbear and Matthew his brother,
the riding foresters, and the walking foresters came with all haste to
that place so that they might take the said poachers. And when the
foresters came into the forest, the said evil doers attacked them, and
shot Matthew the brother of the said James of Thurlbear the forester
so that the said Matthew died thereof. And then the said evil doers
turned and fled. And on account of the darkness of the night and
the thickness of the wood the foresters could not follow them, so that
they escaped. And an inquisition was made by four neighbouring
townships, Stoke, Carlton, Great Oakley and Corby, wdio said that the
said evil doers were seen with bows and arrows and crossbows and
greyhounds, and that they escaped, but that they could not ascertain
who they were. And because the said townships did not come etc.,
therefore they are in mercy.
Item, afterwards an inquisition was made thereof before the sheriff
by knights and good men, who could ascertain nothing else thereof ;
but the said James of Thurlbear, the brother of the said Matthew
who was slain, said that he saw the greyhounds of Simon of Kivels-
worthy at the place where his brother was slain ; on account of which
the said Simon was taken and imprisoned at Northampton in the
time of Alan of Maidwell, who was then the sheriff. And because
nobody makes answer as to the delivery of the said Simon, therefore
the sheriff is ordered that he cause John the son of Alan, who has
29
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
precept um.
perdonatur
pro rege.
miserl-
cordia.
heredis dicti Alani etc. Et Symon venit et convictum est quod
leporarii dicti Symonis alias set non tunc ducti fuerunt per ipsuin
causa malefaciendi in foresta, ideo committitur prisone. Postea venit
Symon et finiuit per vnam marcam per pleuinam lohannis Louet de
Kisston' et Colini de Harlawe.
^ Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod lohannes filius
Stephani Cut captus fuit cum vno fetone. Modo venit et optulit se
et detentus est in prisona. Et testatum est quod alias fuit in prisona
tempore Alani de MaydewilF tunc vicecomitis. Et nullus etc. pro
eo ; ideo preceptum est vicecomiti ut supra. Postea venit lohannes
predictus filius Stephani Cut ; et testatum fuit quod invenit dictum
fetonem mortuum et quod fuit iuuenis, et ignorans malicie cepit ilium ;
et fuit in prisona per annum et amplius ; et perdonatur redempcio pro
rege.
^ Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod quedam bissa
inuenta fuit mortua in pratis de Acle. Inquisicio fuit facta per
Magna Acle, Parua Acle, Neuton' et Corby, que nichil inde inquirere
potuerunt nisi quod mortua fuit murina. Et quia villate non vene-
runt etc. ; ideo in misericordia.
^ Presentatum est per eosdem quod Hugo Swargar et Henricus
Tocke de Brickstok' attachiati fuerunt pro suspicione laqueorum
positorum sub parco de Bricstok' ad lepores capiendos per Galfridum
Sworgar', Hugonem filium Godwini, Gilbertum'* ad Stangnum, Petrum
filium Ade, Henricum filium Ricardi, Henricum filium Geruas',
lohannem de Lortebrok', Matheum Croyle, Eicardum filium Roberti,
Henricum de Lortebrok', Piobertum de Suburg' et Henricum pre-
positum. Et quia non habuerunt ipsos Hugonem et Henricum primo
die etc., ideo in misericordia. Et testatum est quod dicti Hugo et
Henricus posuerunt se in fugam quando forestarius voluit eos attachi-
are, noluerunt stare recto, et quod fuerunt culpabiles de predictis
laqueis. Et modo veniunt, ideo detenti in prisona.
^Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod die*^ Martis proxima
post Epiphaniam anno tricesimo primo quod quidam ^ homines capti
fuerunt portantes venacionem in quodam sacco in villa de Suburg'.
Inquisicio fuit inde facta per quatuor villatas propinquiores, scilicet,
Suburg', Luffwic', Bricstock' et Lyueden' que non venerunt
plenarie etc., ideo in misericordia. Et convictum est quod Radulfus
filius Mabil' de Suburg' et Willelmus filius Henrici de Banifeud' et
See p. 81.
See p. 82.
See p. 83.
MS. ' Gilbertus.'
* See p. 84.
« 8 January 124f.
' The word ' quod ' is carelessly inserted
before this word in the original.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 12o5 29
the custody of the land and heir of the said Alan, to come etc. And
Simon comes and it is proved that the greyhounds of the said Simon
were led there by him at another time, but not then, for the sake of
evil doing in the forest, therefore he is committed to prison. After-
wards Simon came and made fine by half a mark by the pledge of
John Lovet of Eushton and Colin of Harlow.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that John the son
of Stephen Cut was taken with a fawn. Now he came and offered
himself, and he is detained in prison. And it is witnessed that he
was at another time in prison in the time of Alan of Maidwell, who
was then sheriff; and nobody makes answer as to him ; therefore the
sheriff is ordered as above. Afterwards the aforesaid John the son of
Stephen Cut came ; and it was witnessed that he found the said fawn
when it was already dead ; and that he was young and took the fawn
without evil intent ; and that he was in prison for a year and more ;
and his ransom is pardoned on behalf of the king.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that a certain
hind was found dead in the meadows of Oakley. An inquisition was
made by Great Oakley, Little Oakley, Newton and Corby, who could
ascertain nothing thereof except that it died of murrain. And
because the townships did not come etc., therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the same persons and proved that Hugh
Swartgar and Henry Tuke of Brigstock, being suspected of nets
placed in the park of Brigstock for taking hares, were attached by
Geoffrey Swartgar, Hugh the son of Godwin, Gilbert atte Pool,
Peter the son of Adam, Henry the son of Pilchard, Henry the son of
Gervais, John of Lortebrook, Mathew Croyle, Eichard the son of
Eobert, Henry of Lortebrook, Eobert of Sudborough and Henry the
reeve. And because they had not the same Hugh and Henry on the
first day etc., therefore they are in mercy. And it is witnessed that
the said Hugh and Henry fled and, when the forester wished to attach
them, refused to stand to right ; and that they were guilty concerning
the aforesaid nets. And now they come ; therefore they are detained
in prison.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that on the
Tuesday ^ next after the Epiphany in the thirty-first year that certain
men were taken carrying venison in a certain sack in the town of
Sudborough. An inquisition was made thereof by four neighbouring
townships, to wit Sudborough, Lowick, Brigstock and Lyveden, who
did not come fully etc. ; therefore they are in mercy. And it is
proved that Ealph the son of Mabel of Sudborough and William the
30
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
preceptum.
prisoua.
gaolle.
Eobertus de Grafton' habuerunt dictam venacionem quorum Radulfus
et Willelmus predicti capti fuerunt et in prisona apud Norhamt'
tempore Alani de Maydewill', qui nicbil de deliberacione etc. ; ideo
preceptum est vicecomiti etc. vt supra. Et ipsi Eadulfus et Willelmus
predicti et alii modo veniunt ; et iterum detenti sunt in prisona. Et
Eobertus de Grafton' nee venit nee fuit attachiatus, quia non fuit
inventus ; ideo exigatur et vtlagetur. Set quedam Agnes Cornet
cuius manupastus fuit invenerat plegios habendi eum coram iusti-
ciariis etc. scilicet Hugonem filium Eogeri et Petrum filium Eogeri.
Et modo non habent ipsum, ideo in misericordia. Postea testatum
est quod Willelmus filius Henrici coactus et inuitus, portabat dictam
venacionem. Et quia diu fuit in prisona et nicliil habet in bonis ;
ideo inde quietus.
^ Presentatum est per eosdem quod die ^ Lune proxima ante festum
beati Mathie apostoli anno tricesimo primo Henricus filius Geruasii
piscatoris de Yslep' captus fuit in parco de Bricstok' cum arcu et
sagittis, qui indictauit Eadulfum filium Eoberti filii Quenyl de socie-
tate et ipsum Eobertum de receptamento. Idem Henricus indictauit
quendam Walterum filium Geruas' piscatoris de Yslep' et Willelmum
filium Henrici de Drayton' de societate. Et dictus Henricus filius
Geruasii, Eobertus filius Quenyl, Eadulfus filius suus et Willelmus
filius Henrici de Drayton' modo veniunt. Et convictum est quod
culpabiles sunt de malefactis venacionis ; ideo committuntur gaolle.
Et Walterus filius Geruasii piscatoris de Yslep' non venit, et fuit
attachiatus per Hugonem le Peynt', Henricum de Sutton', Eadulfum
le Peynt', Adam de Yslep' et lohannem filium Godwin' ; ideo omnes
in misericordia. Et preceptum est vicecomiti quod faciat venire etc.
dictum Walterum filium Geruasii etc. Postea convictum est quod
Eobertus filius Willelmi de Lufwic' est culpabilis de malefactis
venacionis, qui venit et detentus est in prisona.
' AdhuG de venacione in balliua de Rokenham.
* Presentatum est per eosdem quod die ■' Lune proxima post festum
sancti Michaelis anno tricesimo secundo capud coeri cerui inventum
fuit in magna trenchia inter Bricstok' et Lyueden'. Inquisicio fuit
See p. 85.
- 18 February 124^!. ' Roll 3, iu dorso.
p. 8(3. ^ 5 October 1218.
NORTH AMPTOXSniRE EYRE, A.D. ]i^5o 30
son of Henry of Benefield and Eobert of Grafton had the said
venison ; of whom the aforesaid Ealph and William were taken and
put in the prison at Northampton in the time of Alan of Maidwell
who makes no answer concerning their delivery etc. ; therefore the
sheriff is ordered etc. as above. And the aforesaid Ealph and
William and the others now come and are again detained in prison.
And Eobert of Grafton does not come, and he was not attached be-
cause he was not found ; therefore let him be exacted and outlawed.
But a certain Agnes Cornet, whose mainpast he was, had found
pledges of having him before the justices etc., to wit Hugh the son of
Eoger and Peter the son of Eoger ; and now they have him not ;
therefore they are in mercy. Afterwards it is witnessed that William
the son of Henry carried the said venison under coercion and against
his will ; and because he was a long time in prison and has no
goods, therefore he is quit thereof.
It is presented by the same persons that on the Monday ^ next be-
fore the feast of the Blessed Mathias the apostle in the thirty-first
year Henry the son of Gervais the fisher of Islip was taken in the
park of Brigstock with a bow and arrows ; and he indicted Ealph the
son of Eobert the son of Quenyl of complicity and Eoliert himself of
harbouring. The same Henry indicted a certain Walter the son of
Gervais the fisher of Islip and William the son of Henry of Drayton
of complicity. And the said Henry the son of Gervais, Eobert the
son of Quenyl, Ealph his son and William the son of Henry of
Drayton now come ; and it is proved they are guilty of evil deeds to
the venison ; therefore they are committed to gaol. And Walter the
son of Gervais the fisher of Islip does not come and he was attached
by Hugh the painter, Henry of Sutton, Ealph the painter, Adam of
Islip and John the son of Godwin ; therefore all are in mercy. And
the sheriff is ordered to cause to come etc. the said Walter the son of
Gervais etc. Afterwards it is proved that Eobert the son of William
of Lowick is guilty of evil doing to the venison ; and he comes and is
detained in prison.
As yet of the venison in the bailiwick of Rockingham.
It is presented by the same persons that on the Monday Miext after
the feast of St. Michael in the thirty-second year the head of a hart's
soar was found in the great trench between Brigstock and Lyveden.
31
SELECTIONS FEOM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
miseri-
cordie.
XXX marce.
mandatum
episcopo.
facta per quatiior villatas Lyuenden', Bricstok', Suburg', Luffwic', que
nichil inde inquirere potuerunt. Et quia willate non venerunt
plenarie ad inquisicionem, ideo in misericordia.
' Presentatum est per eosdem quod die ^ Veneris proxima ante
Purificacionem beate Marie anno tricesimo secundo quidam ceruus
mortuus fuit, percussus quadam sagitta, et mortuus fuit inuentus in
Lytlehawe. Inquisicio facta fuit per quatuor villatas Carleton',
Magna Acle, Pdsston' et Coddinham. Et quia villate non venerunt
plenarie etc., ideo in misericordia. Et villata de Cotingha' noluit
venire coram viridariis etc. Et fuit attachiata per Petrum le
Breton' de Cotingha' et Willelmum Curlewald' de eadem ; ideo in
misericordia.
^ Presentatum est per eosdem quod proximo die •* Dominica ante
Dominicam Palmarum anno tricesimo secundo Walterus de Grey
miles et quatuor homines sui equites et Willelmus clericus et alii
quorum nomina ignorantur transierunt per Landam de Benyfeld'
ducentes leporarios ; qui leporarii cuccurerunt ad vnam herdiam
bestiarum set nichil ceperunt. Quod cum forestarii percepissent,
ipsos insultauerunt et ceperunt dictum Willelmum Clericum, lohan-
nem hominem suum et quendam Eicardum de Aslacby qui missi
faerunt apud Eokenha' ad inprisonandum. Et postea E. Passel'/'' tunc
iusticiarius foreste, mandauit "VViUelmo Norhamt',^ tunc senescallo
foreste, quod quia Alanus de Wassond' et Thomas de Kirkeby fecerunt
ipsum securum habendi dictos Eicardum, Willelmum et alios coram
iusticiariis proximo itinerantibus apud Norhamt' quod ipsfs deliber-
aret dum tamen non essent capti cum venacione. Et dicti Eicardus
et alii modo non veniunt ; ideo preceptum est vicecomiti quod venire
faciat etc. de die in diem Walterum de Grey. Et quod ipse habeat
etc. predictos et alios de manupasto suo etc. Postea venit W^alterus
de Grey et Eicardus de Aselakeby clericus in crastino '' sancti Michaelis
et detenti sunt in ^jrisona. Postea dictus Walterus finem fecit pro se
et pro hominibus suis per triginta marcas per plegium Eicardi Basset
et Henrici de la Wade.
^ Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod die ^ Pasche anno
tricesimo tercio Symon de Ouerton', persona de Wauld', cepit vnum
capriolum. Et dictus Symon modo non venit ; ideo mandatum est
' See p. 87. ^ 31 January 124 1.
3 See p. 87.
* 5 April 1248 ; but the first ' Dominica '
is probably written in error for ' Sabbati.'
^ See p. 22, note 2.
* William of Northampton must have
been deputy steward. Robert Passelewe
was himself bailiff or steward of the forest
at this time.
' On this day the justices were sitting to
hear pleas relating to other forests in the
county of Northampton. See Forest Pro-
ceedings, Treasury of Receipt, No. 70.
« See p. 89. " ^ 4 April 1249.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1255 31
An inquisition was made by four neighbouring townships, Lyveden,
Brigstock, Sudborough and Lowick, who could ascertain nothing
thereof ; and because the townships did not come fully to the inquisi-
tion, therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the same persons that on the Friday^ next before
the Purification of the Blessed Mary in the thirty-second year a
certain hart was found, struck with a certain arrow, and dead in
Littlehawe. An inquisition was made by four townships, Carlton,
Great Oakley, Kushton and Cottingham. And because the townships
did not come fully etc. ; therefore they are in mercy. And the town-
ship of Cottingham refused to come before the verderers etc. And
it was attached by Peter le Breton of Cottingham and William
Curlewald of the same town ; therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the same persons that on the Sunday^ next
before Palm Sunday in the thirty-second year Walter de Grey knight
and four of his men on horseback, and William his clerk and others
whose names are not known crossed the lawn of Beanfield leading
greyhounds, which ran after a herd of beasts, but they took none of
them. And when the foresters had seen this, thej attacked the men,
and took the said William the clerk, John his man and a certain
Eichard of Aslackby, who were sent to Eockingham to be imprisoned.
And afterwards Eobert Passelewe, then justice of the forest, sent
orders to William of Northampton, then steward of the forest, that,
since Alan of Wassand and Thomas of Kirkby had made him sure of
having the said Eichard, William and the others before the justices
next in eyre at Northampton, he should deliver them, provided
that they were not taken with venison. And the said Eichard and
the others now do not come ; therefore the sheriff is ordered that he
cause to come etc. from day to day Walter de Grey ; and that he
have the aforesaid men and others of his mainpast etc. Afterwards
Walter de Grey and Eichard of Aslackby come and are detained in
prison. Afterwards the said Walter made fine for himself and his men
by thirty marks on the pledge of Eichard Basset and Henry de la
Wade.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that on Easter
day^ in the thirty-third year Simon of Overton the parson of Old
took a roe. And the said Simon now does not come ; therefore an
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
vtlagetur.
j iiiaroa.
episcopo Lync' etc. quod venire faciat etc. Postea persona de Waade
taxatur ad centum solidos.
' Presentatum est per eosdem quod die ^ louis in festo sancti lohan-
nis ante portam Latinam anno tricesimo tercio Kogerus filius Laur'
de Wadebo captus fuit cum arcu et sagittis in foresta ; inprisonatus
apud Norhamt' et deliberatus per breue domini regis. Et mode non
venit ; ideo preceptum est vicecomiti quod inquirat et faciat eum
venire etc. Postea venit dictus Rogerus et testatum est quod non
fuit malefactor ; ideo inde quietus.
' Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod Willelmus Mau-
clerc de Lyueden' est malefactor de venacione domini regis in foresta
cum trappis. Venit et detentus est in prisona.
* Pj'esentatum est per eosdem quod die ^ Mercurii proxima post
festum sancti Michaelis anno tricesimo quinto malefactores inventi
fuerunt cum arcubus et sagittis et tribus canibus in bosco de Ferma
de Bricstok'. Circiter duodecim de quibus malefactoribus duo ceperunt
quendam Robertum de Wike, venatorem domini G. de Langl'*^ iusticiarii
foreste, et ipsum ligauerunt ad vnam quercum, et postea permiserunt
eum abire. Inquisicio facta fuit qui essent dicti malefactores et
nichil potuit inquiri per villatas, set quidam PJcardus le Harpur dixit
quod Willelmus le Despens' domini Nicbolai de Bassingburn, Willel-
mus filius lohannis Helle (quietus), Willelmus de Houton' de familia
dicti Nicholai, Robertus de Fugeres, qui aliquando fuit cum eodem
Nicholao, et nunc est cum Warino de Bassingburn' in comitatu
Cantebr' ; ideo mandatum est vicecomiti Cantebr' quod distringat
dictum Warinum quod habeat etc. die ^ Sabbati proxima post octa-
bas apostolorum Petri et Pauli. Et convictum est quod predicti
Willelmus le Despens' (j marca), Willelmus de Houton et Robertus
de Fugeres interfuerunt predicto malefacto. Et Willelmus le Despens'
venit et detentus est in prisona. Et Robertus non venit; ideo ut
supra etc. Et Willelmus de Houton non venit et fuit attachiatus per
Robertum filium Rogeri de Benifeld', Henricum le Feure, Galfridum
Megre, Robertum Kidenoc, Henricum Kyte, lordanum de Vptorp',
Willelmum filium prepositi, Hugonem filium Matild', Robertum*^ filium
Inge, Willelmum filium Alani, Benedictum ^ Sutor, et Robertum **
Mayden, omnes de Benefeud', ideo in misericordia. Et Willelmus de
Houton' exigatur et vtlagetur. Postea Willelmus le Despens' venit et
finiuit [per] vnam marcam per pleuinam Willelmi Arnold' de Walkel'.
2 6 May 1249.
' See p. 89.
=• See p. 90.
< See p. 99.
' 4 October 1251.
See p. 22, note 2.
11 July 1255.
MS. ' Eobeitos '
MS. 'Benedictus.'
NORTIIAMPTONSIIIRE EYUE, A.D. 12.55 32
order is sent to the bishop of Lincohi etc. that he cause him to corae
etc. Afterwards the parson of Old is taxed at one hundred shilhngs.
It is presented by the same persons that on Thursday ^ the
feast of St. John before the Latin Gate in the thirty-third year
Eoger the son of Lawrence of Wadenhoe wais taken with a bow and
arrows in the forest ; he was imprisoned at Northampton and de-
livered by the writ of the lord king ; and now he does not come ; there-
fore the sheriff is ordered to make inquiry and cause him to come ;
etc. Afterwards the aforesaid Eoger comes, and it is witnessed that
he was not an evil doer ; therefore he is quit thereof.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that William
Mauclerc of Lyveden is an evil-doer to the venison of the lord king in
the forest with traps. He comes and is detained in prison.
It is presented by the same persons that on the Wednesday ^ next
after the feast of St. Michael in the thirty- fifth year evil doers were
found with bows and arrows and three dogs in the wood of Brigstock
Farming. And two out of about twelve of these evil doers took a
certain Robert of Wick, the hunter of Sir Geoffrey of Langley, the
justice of the forest, and bound him to an oak ; and afterwards thay
permitted him to depart. An inquisition was made as to who were
the said evil doers and nothing could be ascertained by the townships,
but a certain Richard the Harper said that [they were] William the
spenser of Sir Nicholas of Bassingbourn, William the son of John
Helle, William of Houghton of the household of the said Nicholas,
Robert de Feugeres, who was sometime with the same Nicholas, and
now is with Warin of Bassingbourn in the county of Cambridge ; there-
fore an order is sent to the sheriff of Cambridge to distrain the said
Warin to have him etc. on the Saturday ^ next after the octave of
the apostles Peter and Paul. And it is proved that the aforesaid
William the spenser, William of Houghton and Robert de Feugeres
were present at the aforesaid evil deed. And William the spenser
comes and is detained in prison. And Robert does not come ; there-
fore as above etc. And William of Houghton does not come, and he
was attached by Robert the son of Roger of Benefield, Henry the
smith, Geoffrey Meagre, Robert Kidenoc, Henry Kyte, Jordan of
Upthorp, William the son of the reeve, Hugh the son of Maud, Robert
the son of Inge, Walter the son of Alan, Bennet the cobbler and
Robert May den, all of Benefield ; therefore all are in mercy. And let
William of Houghton be exacted and outlawed. Afterwards William
the spenser came and made fine by one mark by the pledge of
William Arnold of Walkley. Afterwards Robert de Feugeres came
F
33 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
Postea venit Robertas de Fugers et finiuit per vnam marcam per
pleuinam Willelmi de Scaccario et Willelmi de Camera.
' Dimidla quarteria glandis inventa fuit in domo Colini de Karleby ;
miseri- et 11011 liabiiit warantiim ; ideo in misericordia, per pleuinam Willelmi
Helle et Ricardi de Pattesliull' ; finiuit per tres solidos per eaiidem
pleuinam.
Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod Rogerus Rastel,
Petrus filius Hugonis de Grafton' sunt malefactores venacionis domini
prisona. regis. Et presentes detenti in prisona. Postea venit Rogerus Rastel
et finiuit per vnam marcam per pleuinam Philippi Fabr' de Rowell',
Ricardi de Mayde^yel^, Ricardi filii Walkelin' et Thome filii Petri de
eadem. Postea venit dictus Petrus et finiuit per dimidiam marcam
per pleuinam Willelmi filii Henrici et Ricardi filii Henrici de
Grafton'.
- Adhuc de venaeione in ballivia de Rokenham.
Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod die ^ Dominica
post festum apostolorum Petri et Pauli anno tricesimo quarto Willel-
mus le Carbon' de Geytinton' invenit vnum danium mortuum et de-
tulit ilium secum ad hospicium suum. Et inde misit vnam partem
Radulfo ad pontem de Geytinton' et aliani partem lohanni Aaron de
eadem. Et dicti Willelmus, lohannes et Radulfus veniunt, et super
hoc convicti detenti sunt in prisona.
^ Presentatum est per eosdem et convictum quod Robertus le Noble
capellanus de Suburg' fuit apertus malefactor venacionis, qui captus
fuit et euasit de manibus forestariorum. Et modo non venit quia
mortuus. Catalla eius coufiscata fueruiit et liberata Hugoni le Noble
de Suburg', scilicet, quatuor solidi de quibus respondebit.
^ Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod Rogerus Russel de
Aisweir captus fuit cum vno capriolo in foresta et Willelmus filius
Oseberti cum eo. Et inprisonati aj)ud Norhamt'. Et modo non
veniunt. Et dies fuit eis prefixus per iusticiarios eo quod dictus
Rogerus est de hospicio domini regis.
^ Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod die ^ Dominica
proxima post Inuencionem sancte Crucis anno tricesimo quinto
Robertus de Corby, Galfridus Gos de eadem et Robertus filius
Godefridi capti fuerunt cum malefactis venacionis et inprisonati apud
' See p. 101. * See p. 94. ' 7 May 1251.
2 KoU 4. « See p. 96.
» 3 July 1-250. » See p. 95.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 12uo 33
and made fine by one mark by the pledge of William of the exchequer
and ^yilliam of the chamber.
Half a quarter of mast was found in the house of Colin of Carlby ;
and he had no warrant ; therefore he is in mercy by the pledge of
William Helle and Eichard of Pattishall ; he made fine by three
shillings by the same pledge.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that Eoger Eastel
and Peter the son of Hugh of Grafton are evil doers to the king's
venison. And being present they are detained and imprisoned.
Afterwards Eoger Eastel came and made fine by one mark by the
pledge of Philip the smith of Eothwell, Eichard of Maidwell, Eichard
the son of Walkelin and Thomas the son of Peter of the same town.
Afterwards the said Peter came and made fine by half a mark by the
pledge of William the son of Henry and Eichard the son of Henry of
Grafton.
As yet of the venison in the bailiwick of Rockingham.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that on the Sunday ^
next after the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul in the thirty-fourth
year William the charcoal burner of Geddington found a dead buck,
and brought it with him to his house. And he sent part thereof to
Ealph atte Bridge of Geddington, and the rest to John Aaron of the
same town. And the said William, John and Ealph come, and being
convicted of this are detained in prison.
It is presented by the same persons and proved that Eobert le
Noble, the chaplain of Sudborough, was an overt evildoer to the venison.
He was taken and escaped from the hands of the foresters. And now
he does not come, because he is dead. His chattels were confiscated
and delivered to Hugh le Noble of Sudborough ; to wit four shillings,
lor which he will answer.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that Eoger Eussell
3f Ashwell was taken with a roe in the forest ; and William the son of
3sbert was with him. And they were imprisoned at Northampton ;
md now they do not come ; and a day was fixed for them by the
ustices on the ground that the said Eoger is of the household of the
ord king.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that on the
Sunday " next after the Invention of the Holy Cross in the thirty-fifth
^ear Eobert of Corby, Geoffrey Gos of the same town and Eobert the
ion of Godfrey were taken with the proceeds of their evil deeds to the
34
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
Norhamt'. Et Kobertus de Corby modo venit et convictus detentus
prisona. est ill prisoiia. Et dicti Galfridus et Eobertus filius Godefridi non
veniunt, et fuerunt inprisonati apud Norhamt' tempore Roberti
Basset tunc vicecomitis qui presens est. Dicit quod Eobertus filius
Godefridi et Eobertus Gos convicti fuerunt de latrocinio coram
Galfrido de Leuekenor,^ iusticiario ad gaollam deliberandam de
Norhamt' assignato, et per iudicium suspensi. Et dictus Galfridus
presens est et bene cognouit quod coram eo fuerunt convicti, ut pre-
dictum est. Et dicit quod tunc fuerunt presentes forestarii et vice-
comes et nullam fecerunt mencionem quod essent imprisonati pro
transgressione venacionis. Et Eobertus Basset,'^ tunc vicecomes, non
at! iudicium. potest lioc dedicerc ; ideo ad iudicium de eo. Et dictus Eobertus de
ij mavce Corbv alias inprisonatus dedit domino regi duas marcas et dimidiam
dimidia. J I o
pro essendo^sub pleuina usque aduentum iusticiaiiorum, de quibus
Hugo de Maneby vicecomes est responsurus.
^ Presentatum est per eosdem quod die ^ Natiuitatis beate Marie
anno tricesimo quinto E. de Clar' comes Gloc' fuit apud Eowell'. Et
post prandium iuit ad boscum suum de Mikehvod' spaciaturus ; et
ibidem fecit decopulare duos brachettos qui inuenerunt vnum ceruum
in eodem bosco ; et ilium fugauerunt usque in campum de Deseburg'
supra Eoweir ; et ibi captus fuit. Cuius capcioni interfuit Eobertus de
Mares cum tribus leporariis, Eobertus Basset cum tribus leporariis,
Eobertus de Longo campo et lohannes Louet viridarius qui comede-
coram rege. rant cum dicto comite eo die ; ideo de dicto comite coram rege ; et ad
iudicium de predictis Eoberto, Eoberto, Eoberto et lohanne. Et quia
tota villata de Eowell' fecit stabliam coram dicto ceruo quando captus
ad iudieimn. fuit ; idco ad iudicium.
^ Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod in crastino " con-
uersionis sancti Pauli anno tricesimo sexto quod lohannes de Somerset'
qui fuit cum Petro de Stanford' de familia domini regis cepit duas
damas et vnum fetonem in Hassokes in parco de Bricstok' ; idee
coram lege, coram rege.
^Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod die'' Veneris
proxima post Conuersionem sancti Pauli anno predicto Perinus quidam
clericus de elemosinaria domini regis cepit vnam damam in foresta.
' Geoffrey of Lewknor and three other
justices were directed by letters patent to
deliver the gaol of Northampton on 2(3 May
1251. (See Patent Roll GO, memb. 9 in
dorso.) He was also one of the justices
now hearing these pleas. See p. 27.
- Eobert Basset was appointed sheriff of
the county of Northampton on 15 May
1250, and continued in office till 23 April
1252. See List of SJicrlffs.
'■' MS. ' essendi.'
' See p. 98.
^ Friday, 8 September 1251.
« See p. 103.
' Friday, 20 January 125-|.
" See p. 103. " 20 January 125i.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 12.55 34
venison and imprisoned at Northampton. And Eobert of Corby now
comes, and being convicted is detained in prison. And the said Geoffrey
and Eobert the son of Godfrey do not come ; and they were imprisoned
at Northampton in the time of Eobert Basset, who was then the sheriff,
and who is now present. He says that Eobert the son of Godfrey and
Eobert Gos were convicted of theft before Geoffrey of Lewknor, a
justice assigned for dehvering the gaol of Northampton, and by
judgment they were hanged. And the said Geoffrey is present and
well acknowledges that they were convicted before him as is aforesaid.
And he says that there were then present the foresters and the
sheriff, who made no mention of the fact that they were imprisoned,
for trespass to the venison. And Eobert Basset who was then sheriff
cannot deny this ; therefore to judgment with him. And the said
Eobert of Corby, who was previously imprisoned, gave to the king two
and a half marks for being under pledge till the coming of the
justices ; and of these Hugh of Manby, the sheriff', will make answer.
It is presented by the same persons that on the day^ of the
Nativity of the Blessed Mary in the thirty-fifth year Eichard of Clare,
earl of Gloucester, was at Eothwell. And after dinner he went to his
wood of Micklewood to take a walk, and there he caused to be uncoupled
two braches, which found a hart in the same wood. And they chased
it as far as the field of Desborough above Eothwell ; and it was taken
there. And at the taking there were present Eobert de Mares, with
three greyhounds, Eobert Basset with three greyhounds, Eobert de
Longchamp and John Lovet the verderer, who had dined with the
said earl on that day. Therefore as to the said earl, let the matter be
dealt with before the king ; and as to the said Eobert, Eobert, Eobert
and John, to judgment with them ; and because the whole township
of Eothwell beset the said hart, when it was taken, therefore to
judgment with it.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that on the
morrow ^ of the Conversion of St. Paul in the thirty-sixth year John of
Somerset, who was with Peter of Stamford, one of the king's house-
hold, took two does and one fawn in Hassokes in the park of Brig-
stock ; therefore let the matter be dealt with before the king.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that on the
Friday ^ next after the Conversion of St. Paul in the year aforesaid
Perrin, a certain clerk of the king's almonry, took a doe in the
forest. And because he was of the king's household, therefore let
35
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
prisona.
Et quia fnit de familia domini regis, ideo coram rege. Et quia villate
de Stok', Wyberdeston', Brampton' et Deresburg' non veuerunt
plenarie ad inquirendum, ideo in misericordia.
^ Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod Galfridus Catel de
Bricstok' est malefactor venacionis in foresta ; qui venit et detentus
est in prisona. Et alias captus fuit pro eodem et inprisonatus apud
Norhamt' ; et tempore Alani de Maydewill' vicecomitis deliberatus
fuit per breue per pleuinam Eicardo ad viuarium de Bricstok', Girardo
filio Eoberti de eadem, Hugoni j&lio Willelmi de eadem, lohanni filio
Ingerami de eadem, Henrico filio Eicardi de eadem, Henrico filio
Hugonis de eadem ; et quia non habuerunt eum primo die etc. ; ideo
in misericordia.
Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod die - louis proxima
ante festum sancti lohannis Baptiste anno tricesimo octauo vnabestia
capta fuit sub sepe castri de Eokenbam, per homines persone de
Eston'. Inquisicio fuit facta per quatuor villatas propinquiores,
scilicet, Eokenham, Corby, Gretton' et Keten' ; et quia non venerunt
plenarie etc., ideo in misericordia. Et forestarii statim post capci-
onem dicte bestie insidiantes per totam noctem vigilando in crastina
summo mane in aurora diei inuenerunt tres homines et tres leporarios,
quorum ceperunt vnum hominem nomine Eogerum filium Edwardi de
Wodeneuton' cum duobus leporariis qui missus fuit ad prisonam apud
Norhamt' tempore Hugonis de Maneby tunc vicecomitis. Et fuit
deliberatus per breue ; et mortuus est et essoniatus de morte ; ideo
nichil de plegiis suis. Postea testatum est quod dicti leporarii et
dictus Eogerus defunctus et alii quorum nomina ignorantur fuerunt
cum Eoberto Bacun persona^ de Eston' in comitatu Line', ideo man-
datum est episcopo Line' etc. quod faciat etc. die * Sabbati proxima
post octabas apostolorum Petri et Pauli. Et quia lohannes Louet
dedixit rotulum suum dicendo quod dicta bestia que fuit capta erat
quedam ouis, et super hoc per viridarios, forestarios et alios socios
suos convictus est, ideo in prisona. Et predicti duo homines scilicet
Eobertus persona, clericus et Gilbertus ianitor castri de Eokenham,
qui fugerunt, postea redierunt. Per breue domini E. de Bosco,"* tunc
iusticiario foreste, deliberati fuerunt per balUum Eadulfo Hutting'.
Et postea testatum est quod inquisicio fuit facta inde coram predicto
E. deBosco, que inquisicio aquietauit predictos homines et leporarios ;
ideo nichil de ipsis nee de plegiis eorum.
p. lOfi. • 13 June 1251. * MS. ' persone.'
' 10 July 1255. ^ See p. 15, note 2.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1255 35
the matter be dealt with before the kmg. And because the town-
ships of Stoke, Wilbarston, Brampton and Desborough did not come
fully to make inquisition, therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that Geoffrey
Catel of Brigstock is an evil doer to the venison in the forest. He
comes and is detained in prison. And he was previously taken for
the same offence, and was imprisoned at Northampton. And in the
time of Alan of Maidwell the sheriff he was delivered by writ on
pledge to Eichard atte Pond, Gerald the son of Eobert, Hugh the son
of William, John the son of Ingram, Henry the son of Eichard, and
Henry the son of Hugh, all of Brigstock. And because they had him
not the first day etc., therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that on the
Thursday - next before the feast of St. John the Baptist in the thirty-
eighth year a beast was taken beneath the hedge of the castle of
Eockingham by the men of the parson of Easton. An inquisition
was made by four neighbouring townships, to wit, Eockingham, Corby,
Gretton and Cotton ; and because they did not come fully etc. ; there-
fore they are in mercy. And the foresters immediately after the
taking of the said beast lay in ambush and kept watch through the
whole night. On the following morning at daybreak they found
three men and three greyhounds ; of v,hom they took one man,
Eoger the son of Edward of Woodnewton by name, with two grey-
hounds. And he was sent to prison at Northampton at the time when
Hugh of Manby was sheriff ; and he was delivered by writ ; and he
is dead and is essoined of death ; therefore nothing of his pledges.
Afterwards it is witnessed that the said greyhounds and the said
Eoger deceased and the others, whose names are unknown, were with
Eobert Bacon, the parson of Easton in the county of Lincoln ; there-
fore an order is sent to the bishop of Lincoln etc. that he cause etc.
on the Saturday * next after the octave of the apostles Peter and Paul.
And because John Lovet contradicted his roll by saying that the said
beast, which was taken, was a certain sheep, and of this by the
verderers, foresters and others of his fellows is convicted ; therefore
to prison with him. And the aforesaid two men, to wit, Eobert the
parson, a clerk, and Gilbert the doorkeeper of Eockingham castle, who
tied, afterwards returned. They were delivered by the writ of Arnold de
Bois, then justice of the forest, on bail to Ealph Hutting. And afterwards
it is witnessed that an inquisition was made thereof before the aforesaid
Arnold de Bois ; and the inquisition acquitted the aforesaid men and
the greyhounds ; therefore nothing of them, nor of their pledges.
36
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
exigatur e
vtlagetur.
Presentatum est et convictiim per eosdem quod Radulfus Holeweye
cepit vnam bestiam cum qua Willelmus de Calwendon' ouiauit ^ ei. Et
dictus Radulfus fugit et euasit. Et non fuit attachiatus quia non
inuentus. Et modo non venit, ideo exigatur et vtlagetur.
Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod die'^ Purificacionis
beate Marie anno tricesimo nono Nicolaus de sancto Mauro et quafcuor
scutarii eiusdem Nicolai ceperunt vnum damum in landa de Benifeud'.
Non pot ait inquiri de nominibus dictorum seutariorum. Idem
Nicolas cepit vnam dam am die louis sequenti in Swayteshal' ; et modo
non venit, ideo preceptuin vicecomiti quod venire faciat dictum
Nicolaum etc.
exigatur et
vtlagetur.
prisona.
^ Adhuc de venacione in balliua d-^ Eokenham.
"* Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod Henricus le Neue
de Islep', Salomon de Acle et Symon filius Piogeri de Geytinton' sunt
malefactores venacionis. Et Henricus et Symon veniunt ; et detenti
sunt in prisona. Et Salomon non venit ; nee fuit attachiatus quia
non inuentus, ideo exigatur et vtlagetur. Postea venit Symon filius
Rogeri et finiuit per dimidiam marcam per pleuinam Nicolai filii
Willelmi de Geitiuton'. Item postea venit Henricus Neue et finiuit
per viginti solidos per pleuinam Galfridi pistoris de Neuton'. Et
dictum est quod predictus Salomon rettatus est coram iusfciciariis
itinerantibus ; et ideo preceptum vi-cecomiti quod ilium capiat si
inueniri poterit.
^ Presentatum est per eosdem quod quedam bestia deberet occidi et
asportari de foresta. Inquisicio facta fuit inde per quatuor villatas
propinquiores que nichil inde inquiri potuerunt. Et quia Torp
Underwode summonita noluit venire etc., ideo in misericordia.
^Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod Walterus et
Nicolaus filii Sweyn et Symon wodewardus Mauricii de Andely
ceperunt vnam bestiam et portauerunt illam ad domum Walteri Pate
de Pilketon' et ibidem ad nupcias eiusdem "Walteri eam comederunt.
Et dicti Nicolaus, Walterus, et Symon veniunt et detenti sunt in
prisona.
Presentatum est et convictum per eosdem quod Walterus filius
Roberti Percheued est malefactor de venacione in foresta. Modo venit
et detentus est in prisona.
' The form ' ouiare ' for ' obuia,re ' is else- ^ Roll 4, in dorso. '' See p. 112.
where used in tliese rolls. See p. 19. * See p. 109.
■■^ Tuesday, 2 February 12.5|. * See p. 111.
NORTIIAMPTOXSIIirvE EVRE, A.D. 12-55 36
It is presented by the same persons and proved that Ealph Holway
took a beast, with which WilKam of Calwendon met him. And the
said Ealph fled and escaped. And he was not attached, because he
was not found. And now he does not come ; therefore let him be
exacted and outlawed.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that on the day -of
the Pui'ification of the Blessed Mary in the thirty-ninth year Nicholas
of St. Maur and four esquires of the same Nicholas took a buck in
the lawn of Beanfield. The names of the said esquires could not be
ascertained. The same Nicholas took a doe on the Thursday follow-
ing in Swayteshall ; and now he does not come ; therefore the sheriff
is ordered to cause the said Nicholas etc.
As yet of the venison of the bailiwick of Buckingham.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that Henry le
Neve of Islip, Solomon of Oakley and Simon the son of Eoger of
Geddington are evil doers to the venison. And Henry and Simon
come ; and they are detained in prison. And Solomon does not
come ; and he was not attached, because he was not found, therefore
let him be exacted and outlawed. Afterwards came Simon the son of
Eoger and made fine by half a mark by the pledge of Nicholas the son
of William of Geddington. And afterwards came Henry le Neve and
made fine by twenty shillings by the pledge of Geoffrey the baker of
Newton. And it is said that the aforesaid Solomon is accused before
the justices in eyre ; and therefore the sheriff is ordered to take him if
he can be found.
It is presented by the same persons that a certain beast is said to
have been killed and carried away from the forest. An inquisition
was made thereof by the four neighbouring townships, who could
ascertain nothing thereof. And because Thorpe Underwood was
summoned and refused to come etc., therefore it is in mercy.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that Walter and
Nicholas the sons of Sweyn and Simon the woodward of Maurice
Daundelay took a beast, and carried it to the house of Walter Pate of
Pilton, and there eat it at the wedding of the same Walter. And
the said Nicholas, Walter and Simon come and are detained in
prison.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that Walter the
son of Eobert Perchead is an evil doer to the venison in the forest.
He comes now and is detained in prison.
37 SELECTIONS FEOM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
Quia compertum et inrotulatum fuit in rotulo de inquisicionibus
quas E. de Bosco/ iusticiarius foreste, fecit in balliua de Stanerne
quod Hugo de Goldinham,^ senescallus foreste sub Gr. de Langel'
iusticiario foreste, et subscripti scilicet Symon de Acly, "Willelmus filius
dicti Hugonis, Eobertus clericus dicti Hugonis, Willelmus Munford',
Walterus Basset, Philippus Oldbare, Kadulfus le Wudeward', Petrus
Pakeden' per ipsum Hugonem vna cum eo multas et maximas trans-
gressiones venacionis, viridis, pannagii et aliarum transgressionum
fecerunt in foresta. Et Hugo, presens, requisitus qualiter uelit se
acquietare de isto crimine ei et aliis predictis inposito, petit quod
inquiratur per viridarios, scilicet, Kadulfum de Thychemers', Pdcardum
de Audewincle, Willelmum de Camera, Willelmum Clifard' et
Eobertum filium Eogeri, Willelmum de Couesgraue, Eobertum Mantel,
Willelmum de Brampteston', Eicardum de Selueston', Willelmum le
Brun de Couesgraue et regardatores et omnes milites et libere
tenentes, qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod predictus Hugo
nee alii non sunt culpabiles de aliqua transgressione nee maxime de
transgressionibus eis inpositis coram E. de Bosco. Dicunt enimquod
willate de Geytynton', et Brystok', Stanerne et Acle odio et hatya illud
crimen falso dicto Hugoni et aliis inposuerunt ; ideo inde quieti.
^Presentatum est per forestarios et viridarios quod die"* Martis
proxima ante Natiuitatem beate Marie anno tricesimo nono Colynus
de Geytinton', Eogerus Caperun forestarius pedes, Willelmus Bolle
forestarius pedes, Willelmus de Wyrmitton' iunior, Eussel homo
Benedicti forestarii et Eobertus custos de Langel' interfuerunt capcioni
duarum bestiarum in bosco de Geytinton' et quod Hugo Kydelomb
de Geytinton' et Thomas filius Eogeri de eadem fuerunt consencientes
predictis malefactoribus et partem suam de dictis bestiis habuerunt ;
et quod predictus Hugo Kydelomb tulit scapulas et duo colla predicte
venacionis ad domum vicarii de Geytinton'; et Laurencius Bolman,
dispensarius dicti vicarii, dictas scapulas et colla ad opus domini sui
recepit. Et Colynus, Willelmus Bolle, Eogerus Caperun, Hugo Kyde-
lomb', et Thomas filius Eogeri et Eicardus de Horton' veniunt et
detenti sunt in prisona. Et quia lohannes Eimnold de Abpthrop,
Gilbertus filius Ade de eadem, Eicardus Leffet de eadem, Eogerus
Alflet de eadem, Eicardus filius prepositi de eadem, Eobertus de
' See p. 15, note 2. steward or bailiff of the forest between
■ See p. 11, note 7, and p. 22, note 2. Stamford bridge and Oxford bridge, having
Geoffrey of Langley was succeeded in the been ai:)pointed by letters patent dated 24
office of justice of the forest south of Trent April, 1250 (Patent Iloll 59, m. 0). Hugh
by Reynold de Moyon, who was appointed of Goldiugham must have been his deputy
by letters patent dated 25 October 1252 steward. ^ See p. 11, note 7.
(Patent Roll 61, m. 1). Geolfrey was also ^ 7 September 1255.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1255 37
Because it was found and enrolled in the roll of inquisitions which
Arnold de Bois, justice of the forest, made in the bailiwick of Stanion,
that Hugh of Goldingham, steward of the forest under Geoffrey of
Langley, justice of the forest, and the underwritten, to wit, Simon of
Oakley, William the son of the said Hugh, Kobert the clerk of the
said Hugh, WiUiam Munford, Walter Basset, Philip Oldbare, Ealph
the woodward, Peter Pakeden by the assent of the same Hugh and
with him did many and great trespasses to the venison, vert, pannage
and other things in the forest. And Hugh, who is present, on being
asked how he wished to acquit himself of that charge which had been
imputed to him and the others aforesaid, demands that an inquiry
be made by the verderers, to wit, Ealph of Titchmarsh, Eichard of
Aldwinkle, William of the chamber, William Clifard and Eobertthe son
of Eoger, William of Cosgrove, Eobert Mantel, William of Braunston,
Eichard of Silverstone, William le Brun of Cosgrove and the regarders,
and all the knights and free tenants ; who say upon their oath that
the aforesaid Hugh and the others are not guilty of any trespass ;
and in particular are not guilty of the trespasses imputed to them before
Arnold de Bois. For they say that the townships of Geddington, and
Brigstock, Stanion and Oakley imputed that charge to the said Hugh
and the others falsely and out of hatred ; therefore they are quit.
It is presented by the foresters and verderers that on the Tuesday *
next before the Nativity of the Blessed Mary in the thirty-ninth year
Colin of Geddington, Eoger Caperun, walking forester, William Bolle,
walking forester, William of Warmington the younger, Eussell, the
man of Benedict the forester, and Eobert the keeper of Langley, were
present at the taking of two beasts in the wood of Geddington ; and
that Hugh Kydelomb of Geddington and Thomas the son of Eoger of
the same town were privy to the acts of the aforesaid evil doers, and had
their share of the said beasts ; and that the aforesaid Hugh Kydelomb
took the shoulders and two necks of the aforesaid venison to the house
of the vicar of Geddington ; and that Lawrence Bolman, the spenser
of the said vicar, received the said shoulders and necks for the use of
his lord. And Colin, William Bolle, Eoger Caperun, Hugh Kydelomb
and Thomas the son of Eoger and Eichard of Horton come, and are
detained in prison. And because John Eimnold of Apethorp, Gilbert
the son of Adam of the same town, Eichard Leffet of the same town,
Eoger Allet of the same town, Eichard the son of the reeve of the
38 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOEEST EYEE ROLLS
Wedon' de eadem fuerunt plegii Willelini Bolle forestarii de fidelitate
etc. et modo est conuictus de transgressione venacionis etc., ideo
omnes in misericordia. Et quia Rogerus de Bereford', Willelmus de
Salond'/ Eogerus le Francej's, Henricus Tuk' de Bristok', Rogerus de
Lane de eadem fuerunt plegii Rogeri Caperun forestarii de fidelitate
etc. et modo est conuictus de transgressione venacionis etc., ideo
omnes in misericordia. Postea venit Radulfus vicarius de Geytinton'
et testatum est per viridarios quod dictus Laurencius dictam
venacionem, ipso Radulfo nesciente, recepit. Et quia non habet
Laurencium manupastum suum, in misericordia. Postea finem fecit
j)ro se et pro dicto Laurencio per vnam marcam per pleuinam
Symonis clerici de Bouton' et Rogeri filii Willelmi de eadem.
V (b).'-
PLA.CITA FORESTE IN COMITATU NORHAMPT' IN CRASTINO^
SANCTI MICHAELIS ANNO REGNI REGIS HENRICI FILII
REGIS lOHANNIS QUINQUAGESIMO SEXTO CORAM
ROGERO DE CLIFFORD MATHEO DE COLUMBAR'
NICHOLAO DE ROMES' ET REGINALDO DE AKLE
lUSTICIARIIS AD EADEM PLACITA AUDIENDA ET
TERMINANDA ASSIGNATIS.
*Adhue de venaeione de Bokingham.
Presentatum est etc. quod Simon filius AYillelmi Tuluse, Ricardus
de Ewyas, garcio Willelmi Tuluse, \Yillelmus de Wotton' (alibi)
Radulfus de Drayton', capellanus apud Wotton', Simon de Hamslepe,
garcio predicti Simonis, Alanus filius Hugonis de Lofwyk', wode-
wardus Roberti de Nowers de bosco suo de Bulax, lohannes Messias
de Lofwyk', Robertus Pette de Lofwyk', Radulfus Vuelhering' de eadem,
Robertus de Grafton', Henricus de Drayton', et alii de societate eorum,
de quorum nominibus inquirendum, intrauerunt forestam predictam
die -5 Mercurii in festo sancti Bartholomei anno quinquagesimo sexto cum
arcubus et sagittis, et fuerunt bersantes in eadem foresta per totum
diem predictum, et occiderunt tres feras sine warento, et abciderunt
' The true reading of this name is very doubtful.
■- Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Receipt, No. 72.
3 30 September 1272.
» lioll B in dorso. ' 24 August 1272.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1255 38
same town and Robert of Weedon of the same town were pledges of
William Bolle the forester as to his fealty etc., and he is now convicted
of a trespass to the venison, therefore they are all in mercy. And
because Roger of Barford, William of Salond, Roger le Franceis,
Henry Tuke of Brigstock and Roger of Lane were pledges of Roger
Caperun the forester as to his fealty etc., and now he is convicted
of a trespass to the venison, therefore they are all in mercy.
Afterwards Ralph, the vicar of Geddington, came, and it is witnessed
by the verdert-rs that the said Lawrence received the said venison,
without the knowledge of the same Ralph ; and because he has not
Lawrence his mainpast, he is in mercy. Afterwards he made fine
for himself and for the said Lawrence by one mark by the pledge of
Simon the clerk of Boughton and Roger the son of William of the
same town.
V (b).
PLEAS OF THE FOREST IN THE COUNTY OF NORTH-
AMPTON ON THE MORROAV^ OF ST. MICHAEL IN THE
FIFTY-SIXTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING HENRY
THE SON OF KING JOHN, BEFORE ROGER OF
CLIFFORD, MATTHEW DE COLOMBIERES, NICHOLAS
OF ROMSEY AND REYNOLD OF OAKLEY, JUSTICES
ASSIGNED FOR HEARING AND DETERMINING THE
SAME PLEAS.
As yet of the venison of Rockingham.
It is presented etc. that Simon the son of William Tuluse, Richard
of Ewyas, the page of William Tuluse, Wilham of Wootton, Ralph of
Drayton, the chaplain at Wootton, Simon of Hanslope, the page of the
aforesaid Simon, Alan the son of Hugh of Lowick, the woodward
of Robert de Nowers of his wood of Bulax, John Messias of
Lowick, Robert Pette of Lowick, Ralph luelhering of the same town,
Robert of Grafton, Henry of Drayton and others of their company,
whose names are to be ascertained, entered the forest aforesaid
on Wednesday^ the feast of St. Bartholomew in the fifty-sixth
year with bows and arrows ; and they were shooting in the same
forest during the whole of the day aforesaid and killed three deer
without warrant, and they cut off the head of a buck and put it
39 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EVRE ROLLS
capud vnius dami et posuerunt illud super vnum pelum in medio
cuiusdam trenchie, que vocatur Harleruding', inponendo in os predicti
capitis quend^m ^ facellum ; et fecerunt illud iniare contra solem in
magnum conttmp'.am domini regis et forestariorum suorum ; et
forestarii, ex eis tandem percepti, ipsos exclamauerunt ; et ipsi male-
factores ad eos saggittauerunt contra pacem domini regis ; et forestarii,
hutesio in eis leuato, fugierunt nee eis resistere potuerunt. Predicti
Eicardus de Ewyas, Alanus, Radulfus, Robertus et Henricus venerunt ;
et super hoc conuicti detenti sunt in prisona. Et predicti Simon
Tuluse et Simon, garcio eius, non venerunt ; ideo mandatum est vice-
comiti Berk' quod faciat eos venire die ^ Lune proxima ante festum
apostolorum Simonis et lude. De predicto Willelmo de Wotton' pre-
ceptum est superius. Et de predicto Radulfo capellano mandatum
est episcopo Line' quod faciat eum venire in festo^ apostolorum Simonis
et lude. Et predicti Eobertus Pette et lohannes Messias non sunt
inventi; ideo exigantur etc. Et quia predictus Alanus, wodewardus
iuratus, fuit malefactor de venacione ; ideo per assisam foreste pre-
dictus boscus de Bulax, quem custodiuit, capiatur in manum domini
regis.
Postea inquisitum est et conuictum per omnes viridarios tocius
foreste in comitatu Norhamt' quod Piadulfus de Heyes, balliuus
comitis Warwyk' apud Hampslap' et qui habet terras apud Benstede
iuxta Aulton' in comitatu Suhamt', Piogerus, Eadulfus et Thurstanus
filii lohannis filii lohannis de Hampslap', Henricus filius persone de
Blithesworthe, Willelmus Wolfrich de Wyke homo Simonis Tuluse,
Walterus homo "Willelmi Tulouse et Thomas, qui fuit filius capellani
de Blithesworthe, simul cum omnibus supradictis ex prouidencia
consilio precepto et assensu Willelmi Tulouse intrauerunt forestam de
Eokingeham predicto die^ Mercurii in festo sancti Bartholomei et per
duos dies precedentes ; et occiderunt octo feras ad minus et vnam
damam, ut predictum est, cuius capud predictus Simon Toluse abcidit
et super pelum posuit ; et predictus Eicardus Dewyas posuit billettum
in gulam eius ; et venacio predictarum octo ferarum in carecta Eadulfi
Vuelhering cariata fuit a foresta vsque Stanwygge ; et ibidem fuit per
vnam noctem ad domum Galfridi Eussel, ipso non existente domi,
nee aliquid inde sciente ; et exinde cariata fuit apud Hamslap' ad
domum predicti Willelmi Toluse et Simonis, filii sui, qui hoc totum
fieri fecerunt ; et ibi dicta venacio partita et commesta fuit ; et quod
dum predicti malefactores fuerunt in foresta circa predictam vena-
' MS. 'quandam.' =* 28 October 1272.
■' 24 October 1272. ' 24 August 1272.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1272 39
on a stake in the middle of a certain clearing, which is called
Harleruding, placing in the mouth of the aforesaid head a certain
spindle ; and they made the mouth gape towards the sun, in great
contempt of the lord king and of his foresters. And the foresters, when
they were at last perceived by them, hailed them ; and the evil doers
shot at them against the peace of the lord king. And the foresters,
after raising the hue upon them, fled and could not resist them. The
aforesaid Eichard of Ewyas, Alan, Ealph, Eobert and Henry came ;
and being convicted of this they are detained in prison. And the
aforesaid Simon Tuluse and Simon his page did not come ; therefore
an order is sent to the sheriff of Berks that he cause them to come on
the Monday- next before the feast of the apostles Simon and Jude. As
to the aforesaid William of Wootton an order is given above. And as
to the aforesaid Ealph the chaplain an order is sent to the bishop of
Lincoln that he cause him to come on the feast ^ of the apostles Simon
and Jude. And the aforesaid Eobert Pette and John Messias are not
found ; therefore let them be exacted etc. And because the aforesaid
Alan, the sworn woodward, was an evil doer with respect to the venison,
therefore by the assise of the forest let the aforesaid wood of Bulax,
which he had in custody, be taken into the hands of the lord king.
Afterwards an inquisition is held and it is proved by all the
verderers of all the forest of Northampton that Ealph of Heyes the
bailiff of the earl of Warwick at Hanslope, who has lands at Binsted
near Alton in the county of Southampton, Eoger, Ealph and Thurstan
the sons of John the son of John of Hanslope, Henry the son of the
parson of Blisworth, William Wolfrich of Wick the man of Simon
Tuluse, Walter the man of William Tuluse and Thomas who was
the son of the chaplain of Blisworth, with all the above mentioned
persons, by the provision, counsel, order and assent of William
Tulase entered the forest of Eockingham on the aforesaid Wednes-
day "* the feast of St. Bartholomew and during the two preceding days
and killed eight deer at least, and a doe, as is aforesaid, whose head
the aforesaid Simon Tuluse cut off and put upon a stake. And the
aforesaid Eichard of Ewyas put a billet in its throat. And the venison
of the aforesaid eight deer was carried from forest in the cart of Ealph
luelhering as far as Stanwick ; and it rested there for one night at
the house of Geoffrey Eussell, he himself not being at home, nor
knowing anything thereof ; and from thence it was carried to Hanslope
to the house of the aforesaid William Tuluse and Simon his son, who
had caused all this to be done ; and there the aforesaid venison was
divided and eaten. And it is proved that while the aforesaid evil
40
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EVRE ROLLS
prisona.
prisona.
cionem perquireiidam per tres dies supradictos receptati fuerimt ad
domos Alani le Gaunter de Cotes et Eoberti de Lyndesye in Lufwyk',
ipsis ad hoc eonsencientibus. Et postea venit Robertus de Nodar' et
finiiiit pro bosco siio rehabendo per vnam marcam ; plegii Simon de
Watervile et Robertus Greleng. Postea venit Alanus le Gaunter et
detentus est in prisona. Postea venit Henricus filius persone de
Blythesworthe et detentus est in prisona. Et predictus Thomas
fiHus capullani venit et detentus est in prisona.
coram rege.
' De venacione parei et warenne Worhamt'.
Pre-entatum est et conuictum per Walterum de Boketun', Willel-
mum lihum Willelmi de Westun', Ricardum Griffin de eadem, Robertum
fiHum Alexandri de BylHnge, lohannem de Boketon', Henricum le
Flemeng', Willelmum liliiim Roberti de Boketon', Ricardum de Berners
de Moleton', Radulfum Hupehulle de eadem, Robertum le Freman de
Oueston, Andream de Magna Byllinge, et Andream le Freman de
Parua Billinge ; qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod inter bellum
de Lewes et Euesham^ tempore quo Petrus^ de Monteforti habuit custo-
diam casiri et parci de Norhamt' Robertus comes de Ferar' et familiares
sui vi et contra voluntatem et sine scitu ipsius Petri f regit murum
parci versus Moleton' et intrauit eum cum canibus et leporariis suis et
cepit quatuor feras et asportauit sine warento ; coram rege quia baro.
Presentatum est etc. quod WiJlelmus filius Warini tempore quo
Warinus^ de Basingeburn' habuit custodiam predicti parci et warenne
cepit in eadem warenna quatuor lepores sine warento. Et non venit
nee fuit attachiatus ; ideo preceptum est vicecomiti quod faciat eum
venire apud Huntingdon' in crastino'^ sancti Hillarii. De predicto
AVillelmo decern libre.*^
' Roll 7, in dorso.
- The battle of Lewes was fought on
14 Mar 12(34, and that of Evesham on
4 August 1265.
^ By letters patent dated 7 June 1264
Peter de Montfort, junior, was appointed
warden of Eockinghara castle, ' with its
appurtenances ' (Patent Roll 80, m. 12).
It is probable that the appurtenances
included the forest between the bridges of
Stamford and Oxford and the park of
Northampton. On 17 June in the same
year Nicholas of Seagrave was appointed
warden of the castle of Rockingham and
the forest between the two bridges (Patent
Roll 80, m. 11).
^ Warin of Bassingbourn was appointed
warden of the forests between the bridges
of Stamford and Oxford by letters patent
dated 17 February 126§ (Patent Roll 83,
m. 28). ^ 14 January 127^.
" In all charters of warren granted by
the king to his subjects there were pro-
visions which made trespassers in them
liable to a forfeiture of ten pounds. From
this entry it would appear that tresjDassing
in the king's warrens involved a similar
forfeiture.
NORTIlAMlTONSHirtE EYI^E, A.D. 1272 40
tloers were in the forest obtaining the aforesaid venison during the
tln-ee days above mentioned they were harboin-ed at the houses of
Alan le Gaunter of Cotes and Eobert of Lindsay in Lowick, who were
privy to this. And afterwards Eobert de Nowers came and made fine
for having his wood again by one mark ; his pledges were Simon of
Waterville and Eobert Grenlcng. Afterwards Alan le Gaunter came,
and was detained in prison. Afterwards Henry the son of the parson
of Blisworth came and was detained in prison. And the aforesaid
Thomas the son of the chaplain came and was detained in prison.
Of the venison of the park and warren of Northampton.
It is presented and proved by Walter of Boughton, William the son-
of William of Weston, Eichard Griffin of the same town, Eobert the
son of Alexander of Billing, John of Boughton, Henry the Fleming,
William the son of Eobert of Boughton, Eichard de Berners of Moulton,
Ealph Uphill of the same town, Eobert the Freeman of Overstone,
Andrew of Great Billing and Andrew the Freeman of Little Billing ;
who say upon their oath that between the battles of Lewes and Evesham,
when Peter de Montfort had the custody of the castle and park of
Northampton, Eobert, count de Ferrieres, and his servants, by force
and against the will and without the knowledge of the same Peter,
broke the wall of the park towards Moulton and entered it with dogs
and greyhounds and took four deer and carried them away without
licence ; therefore let the matter be dealt with before the king, because
he is a baron.
It is presented etc. that William the son of Warin, when Warin of
Bassingbourn had the custody of the aforesaid park and warren, took
in the same warren four hares without warrant. And he did not
come, and he was not attached ; therefore the sheriff is ordered to
cause him to come at Huntingdon on the morrow ^ of St. Hilary. Of
the aforesaid William ten pounds.
41 SELFXTIOXS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROELS
Presentatum est etc. quod Beginaldus^ de Grey cum aliis de familia
et societate sua intrauit parcum predictum tempore quo idem habuit
ousted iam eiusdem parci et fugauit in eodem pro voluntate sua et
cepit quinque feras ad minus, euniculos eciam et lepores tarn in parco
quam in warenna, vnde certus numerus non potuit inquiri. De eo
coram rege quia baro-
Presentatum etc. quod Hugo filius et manupastus Hugonis Gobyun
consuetus est intrare warennam predictam cum leporariis suis tempore
Willelmi - Dacbet et cepit per vices tres lepores ad minus et asportauit
sine warento. Et non venit nee fuit attacbiatus ; ideo preceptum est
balHuis burgi Norbamt' quod distringant predictum Hugonem per
omnia catalla sua in balHua sua inuenta ita quod babeat recto pre-
dictum Hugonem fiHum suum coram iusticiariis apud Huntingdon' in
crastino^ sancti Hillarii.
VI (a).*
PLACITA FOEESTE IN COMITATU SUMEES' IN CEASTINO'
SANCTE KATEEINE ANNO QUADEAGESIMO SECUNDO
COEAM WILLELMO BEITON' ET SOCIIS SUIS lUSTICIAEIIS
ITINEEANTIBUS AD PLACITA FOEESTE IN EODEM
COMITATU.
'Placita de warenna de Sumerton',
Presentatum [est] per Philippum le Cbeualer (ij s) et Eobertum
Seynt Cler (dimidia marca), viridarios, quod die^ Lune proxima post
Natiuitatem beate Marie anno tricesirao sexto Hunfridus bomo Eicardi
de Ortiaco occidit vnum damum in dicta warenna et asportauit.
Dictus Hunfridus mortuus est et essoniatus de morte; ideo nicbil de
eo. Et quia villate de Sumerton' (xx s), Kingesdon' (alibi), Petteneye
(dimidia marca) et Cnolle (iij s) non venerunt plenarie etc. ; ideo in
mieericordie misericordia.
Presentatum est per eosdem et conuictum quod die^ Martis proxima
post festum sancti Andree apostoli anno quadragesimo Eicardus le
' The appointment of Reynold de Grey is ■* Forest Proceedings, Tr-casury of Receipt,
not enrolled on the Patent Rolls. No. 152.
■^ William Dachet was appointed warden ^ Monday, 26 November 1257.
of the park and warren of Northampton by ^ Roll 5, in dorso.
letters patent dated 28 August 1271. See ' 9 September 1252.
Patent Roll 88, memb. 5. " 7 December 1255.
' 14 January 1271.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE F.YRE. A.D. 1272 41
It is presented etc. that Reynold de Grey with others of his house-
hold and company entered the aforesaid park when he had the custody
of the same park and hunted in it at will, and took five deer at least,
also rabbits and hares as well in the park as in the warren, of which
the precise number could not be ascertained. Concerning him, before
the king, because he is a baron.
It is presented etc. that Hugh the son and mainpast of Hugh
Gobyon was wont to enter the aforesaid warren with his greyhounds
in the time of William Dachet ; and he took at different times three
hares at least and carried them away without warrant. And he did
not come nor was he attached ; therefore an order is given to the
bailiffs of Northampton that they distrain the aforesaid Hugh by all
his chattels found in their bailiwick, so that he may have the afore-
said Hugh his son to right before the justices at Huntingdon on the
morrow ^ of St. Hilary.
VI (a).
PLEAS OF THE FOREST IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET
ON THE MORROW^ OF ST. KATHARINE IN THE FORTY-
SECOND YEAR BEFORE WILLIAM LE BRETON AND
HIS FELLOW JUSTICES IN EYRE FOR PLEAS OF
THE FOREST IN THE SAME COUNTY.
Pleas of the warren of Somerton.
It is presented by Philip the Knight and Robert Sinclair the
verderers that on the Monday ^ next after the Nativity of the Blessed
Mary in the thirty-sixth year Humphrey, the man of Richard de
Lorty, killed a buck in the said warren and carried it away. The
said Humphrey is dead, and is essoined of death ; therefore nothing
of him. And because the townships of Somerton, Kingsdon, Pitney
and Knole did not come fully etc., therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the same persons and proved that on the Tues-
day ^ next after the feast of St. Andrew the apostle in the fortieth year
e 2
42
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
Eus, clericus de curia clomini regis, et socii sui, quorum nomina igno-
rantur, ceperunt quatuor lepores in eadem warenna. Et modo non
venerunt, quia non fuerunt atacbiati ; ideo ponitur in respectum,
quia est de curia domini regis. Et quia villate de Sumerton' (alibi),
Petteneye (alibi), CnoUe (alibi) et Kingesdon' (alibi) non venerunt
misericordie. pleuarie ctc. ; ideo in misericordia.
Presentatum est per eosdem et conuictum quod die ' Lune infra
Natale domini anno quadragesimo primo quidam lepus inuentus fuit
mortuus. Inquisicio inde facta fuit per villatas de Sumerton' (alibi),
Kingesdon' (alibi), Petteneye (alibi) et Werne (dimidia marca) que
dicunt quod dictus lepus mortuus fuit morina et nichil aliud intelli-
gunt nisi inf[ortu]nium. Et quia dicte villate non venerunt plenarie
misericordie. etc. ; ideo in misericordia.
VI (b).2
PLACITA FORESTE APUD lUELCESTR' IN COMITATU
SUMEPtSET' IN CEASTINO^ ASCENCIONIS DOMINI ANNO
EEGNI EEGIS HENEICI QUINQUAGESIMO QUAETO
COEAM DOMINIS HENEICO DE BUEGHULLE, MATHEO
DE COLUMBAE', NICHOLAO DE EUMES' ET EEGINALDO
DE AKLE lUSTICIAEIIS AD EADEM PLACITA AUDIENDA
ET TEEMINANDA ASSIGNATIS.
* Plaeita venacionis warrenne de Sumertun'.
Presentatum est per forestarios et per Philippum le Knigt
de Sumertun' et Eadulfum Iluse, viridarios eiusdem warrenne, et
conuictum quod Henricus filius Elie, lohannes le Walays et quidam
nomine Euges et quidam alii, qui fuerunt de societate predicti Henrici,
quorum nomina ignorantur, sunt consueti malefactores de leporibus
in predicta warrenna. Et non venerunt nee fuerunt attachiati ; ideo
preceptum est vicecomiti ^ quod faciat venire predictum Henricum qui
habet terras in comitatu Dors'. Et alii non sunt inuenti, ideo
exigantur etc.
Presentatum est etc. quod lohannes de Draykote cepit in predicta
> 25 December 1256.
- Forest Proceedings, Treasurrj of Receipt,
No. 15.3.
3 Friday, 23 May 1270.
•• Eoll 8, in dorso.
'^ The counties of Somerset and Dorset
had a sheriff in common, and it was there-
fore unnecessary to send a mandate to the
sheriff of the latter county. See p. 14,
note 7.
SOMERSET EYRE, A.D. 1257 42
Eichard le Eus, a clerk of the court of the lord king, and his fellows,
whose names are not known, took four hares in the same warren.
And now they did not come, because they were not attached ; there-
fore the matter is respited because he is of the court of the lord king.
And because the townships of Somerton, Pitney, Knole and Kingsdon
did not come fully etc., therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the same persons and proved that on Monday ^
in Christmas week in the forty-first year, a certain hare was found
dead. An inquisition was made thereof by the four townships of
Somerton, Kingsdon, Pitney and Wearne, who say that the said hare
died of murrain, and that they know of nothing else except misadven-
ture. And because the said townships did not come fully etc.,
therefore they are in mercy.
VI (b).
PLEAS OF THE FOEEST AT ILCHESTEE IN THE COUNTY
OF SOMEESET ON THE MOREOW^ OF ASCENSION DAY
IN THE FIFTY-FOUETH YEAE OF THE EEIGN OF KING
HENEY BEFOEE SIES HENEY OF BUEGHILL, MATHEW
DE COLOMBIEEES, NICHOLAS OF EOMSEY ANDEEYNOLD
OF OAKLEY, JUSTICES ASSIGNED FOE HEAEING AND
DETEEMINING THE SAME PLEAS.
Pleas of the venison of the warren of Somerton.
It is presented by the foresters and by Phihp the Knight of
Somerton and Ealph Hussey, the verderers of the same warren, and
proved that Henry the son of Elias, John the Welshman, and a certain
person Euges by name, and certain others who consorted with the
aforesaid Henry, whose names are not known, are habitual evil doers
to the hares in the aforesaid warren. And they did not come, nor were
they attached ; therefore the sheriff is ordered to cause the aforesaid
Henry, who has lands in the county of Dorset, to come. And the
others are not found ; therefore let them be exacted.
It is presented etc. that John of Draycott took in the aforesaid
43
SELECTIONS EEOM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
warrenna die ^ louis proxima ante festum Purificacionis beate Marie
anno quinquagesimo tercio vnum leporem ; et asportauit sine waranto.
Et non venit nee fuit attachiatus ; ideo preceptiim est vicecomiti quod
faciat eum venire in crastino ^ sancte Trinitatis. Postea venit pre-
dictus lohannes et detentns est in prisona. Et eductns finiuit per
quinque marcas ; plegii Willelmns de Bonham et Willelmus de
Godemanneston'.
Presentatum est etc. quod Eobertus filius Pagani et plures alii de
familia sua, quorum nomina ignorantur, eeperunt in predicta
warrenna vigilia ^ sancti Bartolomei anno quinquagesimo tercio vnum
leporem et asportauerunt sine waranto. Idem Eobertus non venit
nee fuit attachiatus ; ideo preeeptum est vicecomiti quod faciat eum
venire crastino ^ sancte Trinitatis.
Presentatum est etc. quod lohannes Triz de luelcestr', Willelmus
Petit de eadem, Walterus Stek de eadem, sunt consueti malefactores
de venacione domini regis in predicta warenna. Et non venerunt
nee fuerunt attachiati ; ideo preeeptum est vicecomiti quod faciat
venire predictos lohannem et Willelmum in crastino ^ sancte Trinitatis.
Et predictus Walterus non est inuentus ; ideo exigatur etc. Postea
venit predictus Willelmus le Petit et detentus est in prisona. Et
predictus lohannes Triz venit similiter ; et detentus est in j^risona.
VII."
PLACITA DE VENACIONE IN COMITATU EOTELAND' AUDITA
APUD OKHAM IN CEASTINO ^ NATIUITATIS SANCTI
lOHANNIS BAPTISTE COEAM EOGEEO DE CLIFFOED
MATHEO DE COLUMBAE' NICHOLAO DE EOMES' ET
EEGINALDO DE AKLE IUST1CIAEII8« ITINEEANTIBUS
AD PLACITA FOEESTE IN EODEM COMITATU ANNO
EEGNI EEGIS HENEICI FILII EEGIS lOHANNIS QUIN-
QUAGESIMO TEECIO.
Presentatum est et conuictum per Petrum de Neuill', capitalem
forestarium foreste comitatus Eoteland', et per Henricum Mordak' et
' 31 January 126;^. * Monday, 25 June 1269.
2 Monday, 9 June 1270. « The letters patent appointing these
' Friday, 2ii August 1269. persons itinerant justices are dated 9 June
* Forest rrocecdings, Treasury of Eeceix>t, 1269, and are enrolled on Patent Roll 86,
No. 140. ra. 12.
SOMERSET EYRE, A.D. 1270 43
warren on the Thursday ' next before the feast of the Purification of
the Blessed Mary in the fifty-third year a hare ; and he carried it
away without warrant. And he did not come, and he was not
attached, therefore the sheriff is ordered to cause him to come on the
morrow ^ of the Holy Trinity. Afterwards the aforesaid John comes
and is detained in prison. And being brought out, he made fine
by five marks ; his pledges were William of Bonham and William
of Godmanstone.
It is presented etc. that Robert the son of Payn and many others
of his household, whose names are not known, took in the aforesaid
warren on the vigiP of St. Bartholomew in the fifty-third year a hare;
and they carried it away without warrant. The same Robert did
not come, nor was he attached ; therefore the sheriff is ordered to
cause him to come on the morrow ^ of the Holy Trinity.
It is presented etc. that John Trice of Ilchester and William Petty
of the same town and Walter Stek are habitual evil doers to the
venison of the lord king in the aforesaid warren. And they did not
come, nor were they attached ; therefore the sheriff is ordered to
cause the aforesaid John and William to come on the morrow ^ of the
Holy Trinity. And the aforesaid Walter is not found, therefore let
him be exacted. Afterwards the aforesaid William Petty comes, and
is detained in prison. And the aforesaid John Trice comes likewise ;
and is detained in prison.
VII.
PLEAS OF THE VENISON IN THE COUNTY OF RUTLAND
HEARD AT OAKHAM ON THE MORROW^ OF THE
NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST BEFORE ROGER
OF CLIFFORD, MATTHEW DE COLOMBIERES, NICHOLAS
OF ROMSEY AND REYNOLD OF OAKLEY, JUSTICES
ITINERATING FOR PLEAS OF THE FOREST IN THE
SAME COUNTY IN THE FIFTY-THIRD YEAR OF THE
REIGN OF KING HENRY THE SON OF KING JOHN.
It is presented and proved by Peter de Neville, chief forester of the
forest of the county of Rutland, and by Henry Murdoch and Peter of
OF THE
U^4IVERSITY
44 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE liOLLS
Petrum de Wppingham, viridarios einsdom foreste, quod quedam dama
inuenta fuit in bosco Hugonis de Wppingham bersata et mortua die ^
sancti lacobi anno regni regis predicti quadragesimo quam Stephanus
de Wppingham tmic wodeuardus eiusdem bosci primo iniienit et
ostendit Eoberto Prntfot, tunc forestario domini regis, qui pro sus-
picions eiusdem dame bersate traditus fait per pleuinam Eicardo
filio lordani de Wppingham et Michaeli filio Michaelis de eadem
habendum eum coram iusticiariis proximo itineraturis ad placita
foreste in comitatu predicto ; et non uenit, ideo predicti plegii sui in
mistricordia. miscricordia. Inquisicio inde facta fuit per forestarios viridarios et
quatuor villatas scilicet Wppingham, Estok,' Wardele et Aston', qui
dicunt per sacramentum suum quod mehus putant dictam damam
fuisse bersatam in Hbertate ^ quam in foresta, nee aliquid ahud inde
postea potuit inquiri. Et preceptum est viceeomiti quod uenire faciat
rreceptum. prodictum Stephanum coram iusticiariis de die in diem. Et quia
predicte villate non uenerunt plenarie ad inquisicionem faciendam,
ideo in misericordia.
^ Presentatum est per eosdem et conuictum et per regardatores et
duodecim mihtes et alios liberos et legales homines quod cum dominus
rex dedisset lacobo de Paunton' duas * damas in foresta predicta idem
lacobus cepit sex damas vnde quatuor erant sine warento ; et per
tumultum quern fecit taborando in stabilia sua exierunt plures fere
de foresta in libertatem - que ibi capte erant ad dampnum domini
regis et detrimentum foreste sue. Et predictus lacobus venit ; et super
hoc couuictus detentus est in prisona.
^De prisis Petri de Neuill'.
Presentatum est et conuictum per viridarios regardatores et duo-
decim tarn milites quam alios liberos et legales homines quod parens
domini regis de Eidelington' et alii dominici bosci sui deteriorati sunt
post ultima placita foreste per Petrum de Neuill' et per forestarios et
balliuos et venditores suos per dona sua et per capciones maeremii ad
domos ipsius Petri et per uendiciones eorum et per capciones suas ad
rogos calcis factos in foresta ad opus eiusdem Petri et ad plura astra
' 25 July 1256. - See p. 15, note 4. the warden of Rutland forest to cause James
3 Roll 2. of I'auton to have one buck. See Close
' On the oO July 1263 the king diiectcd Koll 81, m. 5. ^ Koll 3.
RUTLAND EYKE, A.D. 1269 44
Uppingham, the vcrderers of the same forest that a certain doe was
found shot and dead in the wood of Hugh of Uppingham on the day ^
of St. James in the fortieth year of the reign of the king aforesaid ;
and Stephen of Uppingham, then the woodward of the same wood,
was the first to find it ; and he showed it to Eobert Prutfoot, then a
forester of the lord king. And Stephen, being suspected about the
doe which was shot, was dehvered on pledge to Eichard the son of
Jordan of Uppingham and Michael the son of Michael of the same
town to have him before the justices next in eyre for pleas of the
forest in the county aforesaid. And he has not come ; therefore his
aforesaid pledges are in mercy. An inquisition was made thereof by
the foresters, verderers, and four townships, to wit Uppingham, East-
stoke, Wardley and Ayston, who say upon their oath that they think
that the said doe was shot in the liberty rather than in the forest, and
nothing else could afterwards be ascertained thereof. And the sheriff
is ordered to cause the aforesaid Stephen to come before the justices
from day to day. And because the aforesaid townships did not come
fully to make inquisition, therefore they are in mercy.
It is presented by the same persons and proved, and also by the
regarders and twelve knights and other free and loyal men that when
the lord king gave James of Panton two does in the forest aforesaid,
the same James took six does, whereof four were without warrant.
And by reason of the noise which he made by beating drums when
he beset the does many beasts came out of the forest into the liberty
and were taken ; to the loss of the lord king and the detriment of
his forest. And the aforesaid James comes, and being convicted of
this is detained in prison.
Of the extortions of Peter de Neville.
It is presented and proved by the verderers, regarders and twelve
as well knights as other free and loyal men that the lord king's park
of Piidlington and other his demesne woods have been impaired since
the last pleas of the forest by Peter de Neville and by his foresters,
bailiffs and salesmen by their gifts and by their takings of timber for
the houses of the same Peter, and by their sales and their takings for
limekilns made in the forest for the use of the same Peter, and for
45 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
sustinenda ad carbonem faciendam que facta fuerunt in balliua pre-
dict! Petri ad opus ipsius Petri de septem milibus quercuum et roborum
et aliarum arborum et amplius — precium cuiuslibet quercus roboris '
et arboris duodecim denarii. Summa tres centum et quinquaginta
libre — . Deteriacio eciam facta de subbosco et exbrancatura in pre-
dicto parco et predictis boscis per predictum Petrum et forestarios et
balliuos et uenditores suos predictos per predictum tempus nullo modo
poterit estimari sicut per predictos est protestatum.
Scrutatis et inspectis rotulis de itinere ^ Galfridi de Langel' et
sociorum suorum iusticiariorum itinerancium ad placita foreste apud
Okham anno regni domini regis qui modo est tricesimo tercio, com-
pertum est quod presentatum erat et conuictum coram eisdem iusti-
ciariis in itinere suo per viginti et quatuor iuratores milites et legales
homines de comitatu Eoteland' quod' cum rex Henricus primus filius
regis Willelmi bastardi iturus fuisset uersus partes aquilonares transiuit
per quendam boscum, qui uocatur Pdseberwe, qui boscus est in comi-
tatu Leycest' ; et ibi uidit quinque bissas ; qui statim precepit cuidam
seruienti suo nomine Pichardus quod in partibus illis moraretur usque
ad reditum suum a partibus predictis et dictas bissas interim ad opus
suum custodiret. Contigit autem quod infra annum ilium dictus rex
ibi non rediit ; infra quem annum dictus Pichardus associauifc se
cuidam seruienti eiusdem patrie, qui uocabatur HascuUus de Athe-
lakeston', ad cuius domum sepius conuersabatur. Finito uero anno
illo postquam predictus rex rediit a partibus aquilonaribus, adiit dictus
Pichardus regem predictum dicens ^ se nolle amplius baUiuam predic-
tam custodire. Et tunc requisitus ab ipso rege quis esset idoneus ad
dictam balliuam custodiendam respondit dicens quod dictus Has-
cuUus qui terras ibidem habuit vicinas et manens erat in eadem
balliua. Et tunc dictus rex commisit Hascullo predicto dictam
balliuam custodiendam videlicet forestariam de comitatu Leycest' et
similiter Pioteland', qui eam custodiuit toto tempore suo, et qui per
longum tempus uixit, scilicet usque ad tempus regis Stephani, et qui
tunc occisus fuit in domo sua per Bartholomeum de Verdon^n Post
cuius Hasculli decessum quidam Petrus filius suus recepit balliuam
predictam a rege Henrico auo domini regis qui nunc est custodiendam ;
qui eciam Petrus duxit neptem luonis de Neuill' in vxorem ; qui
quidem luo erat filius Alani de Neuill'. Efc cum idem luo uideret
quod ingressus dicti Hasculli in predictam balliuam non erat certus
' For the meaning of this word see the Langley are not at the Public Record
Glossary at the end of this book. Office.
■^ The rolls of the eyre of Geoffrey of ^ This word is repeated in the MS.
RUTLAND EYRE A.D. 1269 45
supporting several hearths for making charcoal, which [sales and gifts]
were made in the bailiwick of the aforesaid Peter for the use of the
same Peter to the amount of seven thousand oaks and fuel trees and
other trees and more ; the price of each oak, fuel tree and tree being
twelve pence. Total, three hundred and fifty pounds. But the injury
done to the underwood and branchwood in the aforesaid park and in
the aforesaid woods by the aforesaid Peter and his foresters, bailiffs
and salesmen aforesaid during the aforesaid time cannot in any way
be estimated, as is witnessed by the aforesaid persons.
Upon a search among and an inspection of the rolls of the eyre
of Geoffrey of Langley and his fellow justices in eyre for pleas of
the forest at Oakham in the thirty-third year of the lord king who
now is, it is found that it was presented and proved before the same
justices in their eyre by twenty-four sworn knights and loyal men of
the county of Rutland that when king Henry the First, the son of king
William the Bastard, was on his way towards northern parts, he passed
through a certain wood, which is called Riseborough, in the county of
Leicester. And there he saw five hinds. And he forthwith ordered
a certain servant of his by name Pichard, to tarry in those parts until
his return from the parts aforesaid, and in the meantime to guard the
said hinds for his use. But it happened that in that year the said king
did not return there ; and in it the said Pichard associated himself to
a certain serjeant of the same country who was called Hasculf of
Allexton, whose house he frequented much. But when the year
was passed, after the aforesaid king had returned from the northern
parts, the said Pichard came to the king aforesaid, saying that he
was unwilling to be custodian of the aforesaid bailiwick any longer.
And on being then asked by the same king, who would be a fit person
to be custodian of the said bailiwick, he replied, the said Hasculf, who
had lands near there, and was resident in the same bailiwick. And
then the said king entrusted to the aforesaid Hasculf the custody of
the said bailiwick, to wit the forestry of the county of Leicester and
also of Rutland ; and he was custodian of it all his time, and he
lived for a long time, that is to say till the time of king Stephen,
and was then killed in his own house by Bartholomew de Verdun.
And after the death of this Hasculf, a certain Peter, his son,
received the custody of the aforesaid bailiwick from king Henry,
the grandfather of the lord king who now is. And this Peter
married the niece of Ives de Neville, who was the son of Alan de Neville.
And when the same Ives saw that the entry of the said Hasculf
into the bailiwick aforesaid was neither certain nor stable, he by
46 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
neque stabilis, per se ipsum et amicos suos fecit tantum erga dominum
regem predictum quod idem rex dimisit eidem Petro predictam custo-
diam foreste de comitatu Leyc' et Eoteland' pro habendo mortuum
boscum et siccum de bruellis regis in comitatu Eoteland' reddendo per
annum regi ad scaccarium suum quadraginta solidos. Idem Petrus qui
per longum tempus uixit, scilicet usque ad tempus regis lohannis,
totam balliuam, ut prenominatum est, per predictum redditum
tenuit. Mortuo eodem Petro, Hascullus ' filius eius eandem balliuam
a dicto rege lohanne recepit pro predicto redditu reddendo, qui earn
integram custodiuit, donee dominus Henricus rex qui nunc est totam
forestam de comitatu Leyc' pro uoluntate sua deafforestauit '-^ scilicet
anno regni sui decimo nono. Custodiam uero foreste de comitatu
Eoteland' dictus Hascullus toto tempore uite sue custodiuit vsque ad
annum coronacionis domini regis Henrici qui nunc est tricesimo
tercio ; quo quidem anno idem Hascullus reddidit se religioni. Et
idem dominus rex tunc dictam balliuam, scilicet custodiam foreste de
comitatu Eoteland', Petro ^ de Neuill' filio predicti Hasculli conmisit,
qui eam modo custodit. Set quod idem Petrus aut aliquis predeces-
sorum suorum aliquam cartam feofamenti de predicta balliua unquam
habuisset nessciunt predicti iuratores. Et duodecim tam milites
quam probi et legales homines de comitatu Leic' iurati et requisiti de
omnibus particulis predictis et de tenura predecessorum dicti Hasculli
de Neuiir et eciam ipsius Hasculli et de ingressu eorundem in forest-
ariam predictam dixerunt et concordarunt se in omnibus cum predictis
viginti et quatuor iuratis de comitatu Eoteland' sicut predictum est ;
vnde preceptum fuit per predictos iusticiarios viridariis, scilicet
Henrico Murdak' et Petro de Wppingham, qui adhuc sunt viridarii, et
Willelmo de Castre qui fuit viridarius a tempore itineris predicti usque
ad iter Willelmi Britonis et sociorum suorum ultimo itinerancium ante
nunc ad placita foreste in comitatu Eoteland', quod extunc responderent
domino regi de omnibus proficuis prouenientibus de foresta Eoteland'
saluis tamen forestario de feodo chiminagio debito, expeditacione canum
locis debitis et mortuo et sicco bosco, qui potest colligi sola manu sine
' Hasculf (also called Haco) of Allexton lation of the forest printed on p. 53 that
was appointed by letters patent, dated a small portion of the county of Leicester
29 June 1220. See Pat. Koll 21, m. 4. remained forest.
-^ On 20 February 123^ the king dis- ^ On 8 January 124§ the king granted
afforested all that part of the county of the custody of the forest of llutland to
Leicester which, in accordance with the William of Northampton during pleasure
provisions of the Great Charter of the (Patent Eoll 58, m. 8), and on 1 May
Forest, ought to have been disafforested 1210 he granted seisin of the bailiwick of
(Charter IvoU 2'J, m. 15). lie did not the same forest to Peter de Neville (Close
expressly disafforest the whole county ; Roll 63, m. 10).
and indeed it is evident from the perambu-
RUTLAND EYRE, A.D. 12G9 4G
the exertions of himself and his friends so moved the aforesaid lord
king that the same king committed to the same Peter the aforesaid
custody of the forest of the county of Leicester and Rutland, to have
the dead and dry wood of the king's groves in the county of Rutland,
rendering annually to the king at his exchequer forty shillings. The
same Peter, who lived for a long time, that is to say until the time of
king John, held the whole bailiwick as is before named by the afore-
said rent. On the death of the same Peter, Hasculf his son received
the same bailiwick from the said king John for the aforesaid rent, and
he had the custody of the whole of it until the lord Henry, the king
who now is, of his own will disafforested the whole forest of the county
of Leicester, that is to say in the nineteenth year of his reign. But
the custody of the forest of the county of Rutland' the said Hasculf
kept all his life until the thirty-third year of the coronation of the
lord king Henry who now is ; in which year the same Hasculf entered
religion. And the same lord king then entrusted the said baihwick,
that is to say the custody of the forest of the county of Rutland, to
Peter de Neville, the son of the aforesaid Hasculf, who now has it.
But the aforesaid jurors do not know that the same Peter or any of
his predecessors ever had any charter of feoffment of the aforesaid
bailiwick. And twelve knights and good and loyal men of the county
of Leicester, being sworn and questioned concerning all the aforesaid
particulars and of the tenure of the predecessors of the said Hasculf
de Neville and also of the same Hasculf and their entry into the afore-
said forestry, said and agreed in all things with the aforesaid jurors of
the county of Rutland as is aforesaid. Wherefore it was ordered by
the aforesaid justices to the verderers, to wit Henry Murdoch and Peter
of Uppingham, who are still verderers, and William of Castor, who was
a verderer from the time of the eyre aforesaid until the eyre of William
le Breton and his fellows who were last in eyre before now for pleas of
the forest in the county of Rutland, that they should thenceforth
answer to the lord king for all profits coming from the forest of Rut-
land, saving nevertheless to the forester in fee due chiminage, lawing
of dogs in places where it is due, and dead and dry wood which can be
47
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
xxiiij libre.
dimiflia
marca.
V marce.
XX sol.
X sol.
ij marce.
ij marce.
c sol.
ad indicium.
utensili ferreo in dominicis boscis domini regis in eodem comitatu.
Et dicunt viridarii et regardatores et alii milites et probi homines
iurati quod prefatus Petrus de Neuill', custos foreste supradicte in
comitatu Eoteland', appropriauit sibi iniuste et percepit a tempore
itineris "\Mllelmi Briton' et sociorum suorum iusticiariorum itiner-
ancium ad placita foreste in comitatu predicto, scilicet ab anno quadra-
gesimo vsque nunc, hoc est per tresdecim annos, omnia subscripta que
ad dominum regem pertinent, videlicet nuces in dominicis boscis regis
que ualuerunt per idem tempus sex marcas et dimidiam ; et retropan-
nagium et proficuum glandis in eisdem boscis que ualuerunt undecim
marcas et dimidiam ; et cableiceum quod ualuit viginti et quatuor
libras ; et escapium in parco de Eidelinton' vnde recepit dimidiam
marcam tempore predicto.
Idem Petrus appropriauit sibi placita de spinis, corulis et de
huiusmodi minuto viridi ; et ipsa placitauit in swanimotis suis que ad
dominum regem pertinent et non ad firmam suam, vnde percepit per
predictum tempus tresdecim marcas.
Idem Petrus appropriauit sibi iniuste placita de capcione leporum
wlpium cuniculorum et catorum et de canibus et leporariis habitis in
foresta contra assisam, que placita pertinent ad dominum regem et non
ad firmam ipsius Petri ; unde idem Petrus recepit de Eoberto de
Pilton pro leporariis suis habitis in foresta contra assisam quinque
marcas, de Piadulfo de Kyrkeby pro eodem viginti solidos, de
Willelmo Basset de Luflenham pro eodem decem solidos, de Radulfo
de sancto Licio pro eodem duas marcas, de priore de Weston' pro
eodem duas marcas, de Egidio archidiacono Norhampton' pro eodem
centum solidos. Et quia predictus Petrus omnes denarios predictos
iniuste percepit et placita predicta et proficua sibi appropriauit que ad
dominum regem pertinent et non ad firmam suam ad exheredacionem
ipsius domini regis ; ideo de predictis denariis respondeat ; et ad
iudicium de eo pro transgressione.
Presentatum est eciam et conuictum per predictos iuratores quod
cum dictus rex dedisset fratri suo domino regi Alleman' in bosco sue de
Stokewod', in quo vicini parcium illarum solent et debent de iure habere
communam herbagii, de spinis et subbosco ad includendum viJlam suam
de Okham tempore turbacionis nuper habite in regno, per quod idem
boscus positus fuit in defensum per triennium per preceptum domini
RUTLAND F.YRE, A.D. 12G9 47
collected with the hand alone without any iron instrument in the
demesne woods of the lord king in the same county.
And the said verderers and regarders and other knights and good
men being sworn say that the aforesaid Peter de Neville, warden of the
forest aforesaid in the county of Eutland, from the time of the eyre
of William le Breton and his fellow justices in eyre for pleas of the
forest in the county aforesaid, to wit from the fortieth year till now,
that is for thirteen years, appropriated unlawfully and took all the
underwritten things which belong to the lord king, that is to say,
nuts in the demesne woods of the king, which were worth for the same
period six and a half marks, and afterpannage and profit of mast in
the same woods, which were worth eleven marks and a half, and
windfalls, which were worth twenty-four pounds, and escapes in the
park of Eidlington, whereof he received half a mark in the period
aforesaid.
The same Peter appropriated to himself pleas of thorns, hazels
and such like small vert and pleaded them in his swanimotes, which
pleas belong to the lord king and not to the farm of the same Peter,
and he took therefor during the aforesaid period thirteen marks.
The same Peter appropriated to himself unlawfully pleas of taking
hares, foxes, rabbits and cats, and of having dogs and greyhounds in
the forest against the assize, which pleas belong to the lord king and
not to the farm of the same Peter ; whereof the same Peter received
from Eobert of Pilton five marks for having his greyhounds in the
forest against the assize ; and of Ralj)h of Kirkby twenty shillings for
the same offence, and of William Basset of Luffenham ten shillings
for the same offence, of Ralph de Senlis two marks for the same
offence, of the prior of Weston two marks for the same offence, of
Giles, archdeacon of Northampton, a hundred shillings for the same
offence. And because the aforesaid Peter took all the aforesaid moneys
unjustly and appropriated to himself the aforesaid pleas and profits
which belong to the lord king and not to his farm, to the disinheritance
of the same lord king, therefore let him answer for the aforesaid
moneys, and to judgment with him for the trespass.
It is presented also and proved by the aforesaid jurors that
whereas the said king had given in his wood of Stokewood, in which
the neighbouring people of those parts are wont and of right ought to
have common of herbage, to his brother the lord king of Germany
thorns and underwood for inclosing his town of Oakham in the time
of turbulence which prevailed recently in the realm, and for this
reason the same wood was placed in defence for three years by the
48 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOEEST EYRE ROLLS
regis, vt predictus Petriis clicebat, ne animalia eundem boscum intraront
ita quod subboscuseiusdempossitrecrescere, idem Petriis tenuit eundem
boscum in defensum iam per quinquennium et cepit de aueriis intran-
tibus boscum ilium per escapium termino predicto, uidelicet, aliquando
pro uno auerio duos solidos, aliquando decern et octo denarios, ali-
quando duodccim denarios et aliquando sex denarios. Et est summa
xxxsoi. capcionis illius triginta solidi. Et quia idem Petrus denarios illos
qui ad firmam suam non pertinent iniuste cepit, ideo de ipsis denariis
ad iiuiiciiim. respondeat ; et ad indicium de eo pro iniusta capcione.
' Adhuc de prisis Petri de Neuill'.
Presentatum est per eosdcm et conuictum quod cum dominus
rex precepisset quod placea ilia in qua facta fuit uendicio in parco de
Ridclinton' includeretur ut posset recresscere Petrus de Neuill' fecit
agistare quam plurima animalia in placea ilia postquam inclusa fuit
que corroserunt sciones cipporum quercuum uenditarum et sub-
bosci prostrati et magnam partem eorum cipporum fecit eradicare et
carbonare ita quod nunquam recrescet ad dampnum domini regis et
heredum suorum de centum libris vnde idem Petrus respondeat ; et
ad indicium de eo de predicta transgressione.
Idem Petrus percepit de herbagio in placea ilia de agistamcnto
predicto triginta et quinque libras que ad dominum regem pertinent
et non ad firmam ipsius Petri vnde idem Petrus respondeat ; et ad
indicium de eo de iniusta capcione.
Idem Petrus fecit includere quandam placeam in eodem parco
que uocatur la Dale et percepit tarn de feno uendito in eadem placea
xvj libie. quam de escapio aueriorum et herbagio sexdecim libras.
Idem Petrus appropriauit sibi quandam particulam terre in Stok'
que capta fuit in manum domini regis in ultimo itinere iusticiariorum
itinerancium ad placita foreste in comitatu predicto et vocatur
iiij marce. Esscheluud' et percepit inde comodum quatuor marcarum ante nunc,
de quibus ipse respondeat ; et terra capiatur in manum domini regis ;
ad iudicium et remaneat ; et ad indicium de predicto Petro pro iniusta appropria-
cione.
Idem Petrus appropriauit sibi duodecim denarratas annul redditus
de lohanne de Vffinton' pro vna acra terre de dominico domini regis
in Depedal' per totum tempus quo fuit forestarius ad exhere-
c libre.
ad iudicium
ad iudicium.
EoU 3, in (lorso.
in"Tr.AXD EYRE, A.D. UHW 48
'^recept of the lord king, as the aforesaid Peter said, so as to prevent
animals entering the same wood so that the underwood of the same
might grow again, the same Peter has now kept the same wood in
defence for a space of five years, and has taken for heasts entering
that wood by way of escape in the period aforesaid for each beast
sometimes two shillings, sometimes eighteen pence, sometimes one
shilling and sometimes sixpence. And the total of the money so taken
is thirty shillings. And because the same Peter unlawfully took those
pence which did not belong to his farm, therefore let him answer for
the same pence, and to judgment with him for his unlawful taking.
As yet of the extortions of Peter de Neville.
It is presented by the same persons and proved that whereas
the lord king had ordered that that place in which the sale was made
in the park of Ridlington should be enclosed so that it could grow
again, Peter de Neville agisted very many animals in that place
after it was enclosed, which ate the shoots of the stumps of the oaks
which had been sold and of the underwood which had been felled ;
and he caused a great part of those stumps to be uprooted and
made into charcoal, so that it can never grow again, to the loss of the
lord king and his heirs of one hundred pounds ; for which let the
same Peter answer, and to judgment with him for the aforesaid
trespass.
The same Peter took for herbage in that place for the agistment
aforesaid thirty-five pounds which belong to the lord king and not to
the farm of the same Peter ; for which let the same Peter answer,
and to judgment with him for the unlawful taking.
The same Peter caused to be enclosed a certain place in the same
park which is called la Dale, and he took as well for hay sold in the
same place as for the escape of beasts and for herbage sixteen pounds.
The same Peter appropriated to himself a certain parcel of land
in Stoke which was taken into the hand of the lord king in the last
eyre of the justices itinerating for pleas of the forest in the county
aforesaid and is called Esschelund; and he hRS taken, as the profit
thereof, four marks up till now, for which let him answer, and let the
land be taken into the hand of the lord king ; and let it remain there ;
and to judgment with the aforesaid Peter for his unlawful appropriation.
The same Peter appropriated to himself the annual rent of twelve
pence of John of Uffington for one acre of land of the king's demesne
in Depedale during his whole time as forester, to the disinheritance of
49
SELECTIONS FEOM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
iiij lilire.
(limiJia
marca.
V solidi.
nd iuJk'iiim,
dacionem domini regis ; vnde idem Petrus respondeat de vigin* \
solidis per viginti annos ; et ad indicium de eo pro iniusta appro-
priaoione.
Idem Petrus inposuit magistro Willelmo de Martiuallis quod erat
malefactor de venacione domini regis in balliua sua, et inprisonauit
eum apud Athelakeston' per duas vices, et postmodum deliberauit
ipsum per finem centum solidorum quos recepit ab eo, de quibus
respondeat domino regi ; et ad indicium de eo quia deliberauit pre-
dictum magistrum Willelmnm sine warento.
Idem Petrus inposuit Allesie sorori predicti magistri AVillelmi
quod ipsa receptauit bona et catalla ipsius fratris et cepit ab ea
occasione ilia viginti quarteria frumenti cumulata, precio quarterii
quatuor solidis. Summa quatuor libre.
Idem Petrus cepit ab eadem Alesia eadem occasione duas vaccas
precii viginti solidorum, vnde idem Petrus respondeat domino regi ;
et protestatum fuit per viridarios regardatores et alios iuratores, quod
predictus magister Willelmus non est culpabilis de aliqua transgres-
sione foreste ; ideo ipse quietus ; et ad indicium de predicto Petro pro
ininstis prisis predictis et pro ininsto inprisonamento predicto.
Idem Petrus inposuit Henrico Gerard' quandam transgressionem
foreste ; et cepit aneria sua et detinuit quousque soluisset ei dimidiam
marcam pro deliberacione ipsorum, et quinque solidos pro warda
eornndem ; vnde idem Petrus respondeat domino regi ; et ad
indicium de eo pro iniusta capcione eo quod protestatum est per
viridarios regardatores et omnes alios iuratores quod nulla emenda
transgressionum foreste pertinent ad ipsum, set ad dominum regem.
Idem Petrus cepit de Alexandre filio Galfridi de Lydington' pro
uno lepore quem cepit in bruellis de Seyton' dimidiam marcam que
capcio ad ipsum non pertinebat set ad dominum regem pertinebat ;
et ideo respondeat inde domino regi ; et ad indicium de eo pro
iniusta capcione.
Idem Petrus inprisonauit Robertum le Hayward' de Lydington'
apud Athelakeston' pro vno cuniculo quem cepit in Estwode
extra Wppingham ; et deliberauit eum pro quinque solidis quos
cepit ab eo, de quibus respondeat domino regi, eo quod emenda
capcionis cuniculorum in foresta pertinent ad dominum regem et
non ad ipsum Petrnm ; et ad indicium de eo de iniusta capcione
predictornm denariorum et de predicto inprisonamento et de-
liberacione.
JUTLAND F.YRE, A.D. 12G9 49
the lord king ; wherefore let the same Peter answer for twenty shillings
for twenty years, and to judgment with him for his unlawful ap-
propriation.
The same Peter imputed to Master William de Martinvast that he
was an evil doer with respect to the venison of the lord king in his
bailiwick ; and he imprisoned him at Allexton on two occasions, and
afterwards he delivered him for a fine of one hundred shillings which
he received from him ; for which let him answer to the lord king, and
to judgment with him because he delivered the aforesaid Master
William without any warrant.
The same Peter imputed to Alice the sister of the aforesaid Master
William that she received the goods and chattels of her brother, and
took from her on that account twenty heaped quarters of wheat, the
price of each quarter four shillings ; the total, four pounds.
The same Peter took from the same Alice on the same occa-
sion two cows, of the price of twenty shillings ; wherefore let the
same Peter answer to the lord king. And it was witnessed by the
verderers, regarders and other jurors that the aforesaid Master
William is innocent of any trespass in the forest ; therefore he is quit ;
and to judgment with the aforesaid Peter for the unlawful extortions
and for the unlawful imprisonment aforesaid.
The same Peter charged Henry Gerard with a certain trespass to
the forest ; and took his beasts and detained them until he had paid
to him half a mark for their delivery and five shillings for their
custody ; wherefore let the same Peter answer to the lord king ; and
to judgment with him for his unlawful taking, on the ground that it
is witnessed by the verderers, regarders and all the other jurors that no
emends of trespasses to the forest belong to him, but to the lord king.
The same Peter took half a mark from Alexander the son of
Geoffrey of Liddington for one hare which he took in the grove of
Seaton, which taking did not belong to him, but to the lord king ; and
therefore let him answer for it to the lord king, and to judgment
with him for his unlawful taking.
The same Peter imprisoned Robert the hay ward of Liddington at
Allexton for a rabbit, which he took in Eastwood, outside Uppingham,
and he delivered him for five shillings which he took from him, and
of which let him answer to the lord king on the ground that emends
of the taking of rabbits in the forest belong to the lord king and not
to the same Peter ; and to judgment with him for his unlawful taking
of the aforesaid moneys, and for his imprisoniiient and delivery afore-
said.
50 SELFXTIOXS FROM THE FOREST EVRE ROLLS
Idem Petrus inprisonauit Petnim filmm Constantini cle Lydington'
per duos dies et duas noctes apud Athelakeston' [vinctum] ^ eathenis
ferreis pro siispicione capcionis cuiusdem cuniculi in Estwod' ; et idem
Petrus filius Constantini dedit hominibus predicti Petri de Neuill',
qui custodiebant ilium duos - denarios, pro eo quod permittebant
ipsum sedere super quandam formam in gayola ipsius Petri que plena
est aqua in fundo. Et ^
Idem Petrus inprisonauit Piobertum de Pilton' apud Athelakeston'
in eathenis ferreis pro transgressione foreste quam imposuit ; [et]
deliberauit ipsum sine waranto ; et eepit ab eo viginti et duos denarios
pro custodia duorum equorum ipsius Pioberti, quos detinuit dum
ij sol. iiij d. [tenuit ipsum] in prisona et quatuor denarios ad exitum porte sue.
ad iudicium. i^q^q. Petrus respondeat de denariis ; et ad indicium de eo etc.
Idem Petrus cepit de Eoberto de Neuill' et Eadulfo, fratre suo,
triginta marcas pro transgressione foreste quam imposuit eis ; [cuius
transgressionis] emenda ad dominum regem pertinebant * et non ad
ipsum Petrum ; ideo respondeat de denariis ; et ad iudicium de
eo etc.
Idem Petrus cepit predictura Eobertum de Neuill' in domo matris
sue et inprisonauit ; et postea dimisit eum sine warento pro vno [equo,
iiii marce. precii] quatuor marcarum de quibus respondeat ; et ad iudicium de eo.
Idem Petrus cepit de Eicardo de Albomonasterio, qui mortuus est,
pro capcione vnius dami in foresta sine waranto viginti et quatuor
ad indicium, marcas [vnde respondeat et ad] iudicium de eo etc.
Idem Petrus cepit de Henrico Murdak' pro receptamento Henvici
filii sui malefactoris de venacione in foresta viginti marcas, de quibus
respondeat domino regi ; et ad iudicium de eo.
Idem Petrus cepit de predicto Henrico pro mastinis suis qui semel
sequebantur carucarios suos usque in pratum de Depedale quod est
infra forestam centum solidos, de quibus respondeat ; et ad
iudicium etc.
Idem Petrus cepit de eodem Henrico quinque marcas i^ro escapio
bouum suorum in pratum domini regis de la Dale vnde respondeat
etc.
Idem Petrus fecit summonere sepius plures uillatas quod uenirent
coram eo ad inquisiciones de foresta faciendas ; [et quia villate] non
uenerunt amerciauit ad uoluntatem suam et leuauit amerciamenta ilia
' The correct reading of this word is as here printed. There is no marginal
very doubtful. note opposite to it in the roll, but the sum
■^ This and the following word are inter- of twopence taken by Peter is included in
lineated in the roll. the sum of mone}' in the margin opposite
^ This entry ends abruptly in the roll the next entry. * MS. ' pertinebat.'
RUTLAM) EYIJE, A.l). li'fiO 50
The same Peter imprisoned Peter the son of Constantine of
Liddington for two days and two nights at Allexton, and bound him
with iron chains on suspicion of having taken a certain rabbit in
Eastwood ; and the same Peter the son of Constantine gave two
pence to the men of the aforesaid Peter de Neville, who had charge of
him, to permit him to sit upon a certain bench in the gaol of the same
Peter, which is full of water at the bottom. And . . .
The same Peter imprisoned Eobert of Pilton at Allexton in iron
chains for a trespass to the forest, with which he charged him ; and
he delivered him without warrant, and took from him twenty-two
pence for the custody of two horses belonging to the same Robert,
which he detained while he kept him in prison, and fourpence on his
going out from his gate. Let the same Peter answ^er for the moneys,
and to judgment with him etc.
The same Peter took from Robert de Neville and Ralph his brother
thirty marks for a trespass to the forest, with which he charged
them, of which trespass emends belong to the lord king and not to
the same Peter ; therefore let him answer for the pence, and to judg-
ment with him etc.
The same Peter took the aforesaid Robert de Neville in the house
of his mother, and imprisoned him, and aferwards released him with-
out warrant, for a horse, of the price of four marks ; for which let
him answer, and to judgment with him.
The same Peter took twenty-four marks from Richard of Whit-
church, who is dead, for taking a buck in the forest without warrant ;
for which let him answer, and to judgment with him etc.
The same Peter took twenty marks from Henry Murdoch for
harbouring Henry his son, an evil doer with respect to the venison
in the forest ; for which let him answer ta the lord king, and to
judgment with him.
The same Peter took one hundred shillings from the aforesaid
Henry for his mastiffs, which once followed his ploughmen as far as
the meadow of Depedale, which is within the forest ; for which let
him answer, and to judgment etc.
The same Peter took five marks from the same Henry for the
escape of his oxen into the lord king's meadow of la Dale ; whereof
let him answer etc.
The same Peter often caused many townships to be summoned
before him to make inquisitions concerning the forest ; and because
the townships did not come, he amerced them at his will, and levied
those amercements, which belong to the lord king and not to the same
5] SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
que ad dominum regem pertinent et non ad ipsnm Petriim, vnde
recepit sexaginta solidos, de quibus respondeat. Et ad indicium etc.
Idem Petrus [inposuit] priori de Land' quod quedam fere exierunt
forebtam et intrauerunt parcum ipsius prioris qui est [iungens] '
foreste per quod ipse Petrus fecit [cariare] plures carectas foragii ad
comburendam hayam parci illius ; et postmodum dictus prior fecit
finem cum eo de pace habenda pro triginta marcis. Et quia emenda
huiusniodi transgressionis ad dominum rcgem pertinent, et non ad
ad iiidkiiim. dictum Petrum ideo de denariis respondeat et ad indicium etc.
^Adhuc de prisis Petri de Neuill'.
Idem Petrus cepit de Willelmo le Eyder, forestario sub ipso, pro
XX sol. transgressione venacionis in foresta viginti solidos, vnde respondeat
indicium. etc. ; et ad indicium de eo etc.
Idem Petrus habuit singulis annis preterquam inter bella de
Lewes et de Evesham ^ porcheriam suam et porcos suos aliquando
trcscentos fodientes in haya domini regis sine waranto ad magnam
ad indicium, deterioraciouem pasture ferarum domini regis ; vnde ad indicium de
eo. Et sciendum est quod proficuum glandis et pasture predicte
computatur prius ut patet.
Idem Petrus habuit quendam forestarium, quern de nouo videlicet
per tres annos iam elapsos assignauit ad custodiendum chiminum
inter Stanford' et Briggechasterton' quod est in forinseca diuisa
foreste ex parte orientali et ad capiendum chiminagium ad opus suum
in partibus illis ; et uocatur ille forestarius Thomas de Saldeford qui
cepit de qualibct carecta ducente buscam uel maeremium de comitatu
Line' usque Stanfordiam per chiminum predictum quatuor denarios
pro chiminagio contra assisam foreste et contra cartam domini regis
de libertate foreste vnde summa non potest inquiri. Et testificatum
est per omnes iuratores quod nee dictus Petrus nee antecessores sui
unquam habuerunt aliquem forestarium ibidem custodientem ibidem
chiminum nee capientem chiminagium ibidem ante tres annos pre-
ad indicium, dictos uec de iure habere debuerunt, ideo ad indicium de eo.
Idem Thomas arrestauit carectam Galfridi filii Sarre de Emping-
ham carcatam fraxinis in chimino inter Stanford' et Empingham et
exegit de eodem Galfrido chiminagium. Et quia idem Galfridus dixit
' Here again the correct reading is very ^ For the dates of these battles see p.
doubtful. -' KoU d. 40, note 2 above.
RUTLAND EYRE, A.D. 1269 51
Peter ; and he received thereof sixty shilhngs ; for which let him
answer, and to judgment etc.
The same Peter charged the prior of Launde with the fact that
certain deer came out of the forest and entered the park of the same
prior, which adjoins the forest ; on account of which the same Peter
caused several cartloads of forage to be taken to burn the enclosure
of that park. And afterwards the said prior made fine with him
for thirty marks to have peace. And because emends of trespass of
this kind belong to the lord king and not to the said Peter, therefore
let him answer for the money, and to judgment etc.
As yet of the extortions of Peter de Neville.
The same Peter took twenty shillings from William le Rider, the
forester under him, for a trespass to the venison in the forest ; for
which let him answer etc., and to judgment with him etc.
The same Peter in every year, except in the year between the
battles of Lewes and Evesham, had his piggery and his pigs, some-
times to the number of three hundred, digging in the enclosure of
the lord king without warrant, to the great injury of the pasture
of the deer of the lord king; wherefore to judgment with him. And
it must be known that the profit of the mast and of the aforesaid
pasture is reckoned as before appears.
The same Peter had a certain forester whom he appointed recently,
that is to say for the three years last past, to guard the road between
Stamford and Bridge Casterton, which is in the outlying part of the
forest on the eastern side, and to take chiminage for his own use in
those parts. And that forester is called Thomas of Salford ; and
he took from every cart carrying wood or timber from the county
of Lincoln along the aforesaid road to Stamford four pence for
chiminage against the assise of the forest and against the charter
of the lord king concerning the liberty of the forest, of which moneys
the sum cannot be ascertained. And it is witnessed by all the jurors
that neither the said Peter nor his ancestors ever had any forester
there guarding the road there nor taking chiminage there before the
aforesaid three years, nor by law ought they to have had one ; there-
fore to judgment with him.
The same Thomas arrested the cart of Geoffrey the son of Sara
of Empingham, which was laden with ash trees, in the road between
Stamford and Empingham, and demanded chiminage from the same
Geoffrey. And because the same (icoffrey said that he was not law-
■marca.
^yS SELECTIONS FROM TTIE FOREST EYRE ROLES
quod non debiiit de iiire dare ei aliqiiod chiminagium eo quod fraxini
quas ducebat amputate erant in curia sua propria in villa de Emping-
ham que est extra metas foreste, idem Thomas maliciose leuauit vthe-
sium super ipsum Galfridum et distrinxit ipsum quo usque dedisset ei
duos solidos et inuenisset plegios veniendi ad swanimotum et cum idem
Galfridus venisset ad swanimotum predictus Petrus cepit eum et in-
diraidia prisonaiiit apud Athelakeston' et postea dimisit eum per finem dimidie
marce quam soluit ei. Et quia eonuictum est quod hoc totum factum
est iniuste et contra assisam foreste ; ideo ad iudicium de predicto
Petro. Et idem Petrus respondeat de denariis. Et quia eonuictum
est quod predictus Thomas forestarius raulta damj^na et graues
extorsciones fecit hominibus de partibus predictis contra assisam
foreste et contra tenorem carte de libertatibus foreste, ideo idem
Thomas committitur prisone et finiuit alibi. Et preceptum est quod
de cetero non sit aliquis forestarius in partibus predictis nee ' quod
aliquod chiminagium capiatur ibidem contra tenorem carte predicte.
Conuictum est eciam quod quinque forestarii pedites videlicet duo in
balliua de Beaumund et duo in balliua de Braunceston' et vnus in parco
de Piidelington' et vnus forestarius eques cum vno garcione sufficiunt
ad totam foiestam Pioteland' custodiendam et quod plures forestarii
non debent esse in eadem nee antiquitus esse consueuerunt ; ideo pre-
ceptum est quod decetero non sint ibi plures forestarii quam predicti
quinque pedites et vnus eques ut predictum est.
Et quia prefatus Petrus multos habuit forestarios sub ipso in dicta
foresta qui habebant garciones sub eis ad dampnum et superonera-
cionem tucius patrie ; ideo ad iudicium de eo. Et preceptum est
quod nullus forestarius pedes de cetero habeat sub se garciones in
foresta.
Idem Petrus fecit quandam gaiolam apud Athelakeston' in comitatu
Leyc' que est plena aqua in fundo et in quam plures homines im-
prisonauit quos cepit iuste et iniuste occasione balliue sue in comitatu
Eoteland' et multos ex eis deliberauit pro uoluntate sua et sine
waranto ; ideo ad iudicium de eo etc.
Et quia similiter testificatum est quod omnes prisones capti in
comitatu Eoteland' tam occasione foreste quam omni alia occasione
debent inprisonari in castro de Okham et quod vicecomes Eoteland'
This ^YOl•cl i& omitted in the MS.
RdTLAXD EYRE, A.D. 1269 52
fully bound to give to him any cbiminage, on the ground that the
ash trees which he was carrying were cut down in his own court in
the town of Empingham, which is outside the metes of the forest,
the same Thomas maliciously raised the hue upon the same Geoffrey
and distrained him till he gave him two shillings, and found pledges
to come to the swanimote. And when the same Geoffrey came to
the swanimote the aforesaid Peter took him and imprisoned him at
Allexton and afterwards released him for a fine of half a mark,
which he paid to him. And because it is proved that all this was
done unlawfully and against the assise of the forest, therefore to
judgment with the aforesaid Peter, and let the same Peter answer
for the money. And because it is proved that the aforesaid Thomas
the forester subjected the men of the parts aforesaid to much loss and
grievous extortions against the assise of the forest and against the
tenor of the charter concerning the liberties of the forest, therefore
the same Thomas is committed to prison, and he made fine elsewhere.
And it is ordered that in future there be no forester in the parts afore-
said, and that chiminage be not taken there against the tenor of the
charter aforesaid.
It is proved also that five walking foresters, to wit two in the
bailiwick of Beaumont, and two in the bailiwick of Braunston, and
one in the park of Kidlington, and one riding forester, together xdth
one page, are sufficient to guard the whole forest of Eutland, and that
more foresters ought not to be, nor of old were wont to be, in the
same forest. Therefore it is ordered that in future there be not
more foresters than the aforesaid five walking foresters and one riding
forester as is aforesaid.
And because the aforesaid Peter had many foresters under him in
the said forest, who had pages under them, to the damage and over-
burdening of the whole country, therefore to judgment with him.
And it is ordered that no walking forester in future is to have pages
under him in the forest.
The same Peter made a certain gaol at Allexton in the county
of Leicester, which is full of water at the bottom, and in which he
imprisoned many men whom he took lawfully and unlaAvfully by
reason of his bailiwick in the county of Eutland ; and he delivered
many of them at his pleasure and without warrant. Therefore to
judgment with him.
And because in like manner it is witnessed that all prisoners, as
well on account of the forest as on every other account, taken in the
county of PiuUand ought to be imprisoned in the castle of Oakham,
53
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOEEST EYRE ROLLS
loquendiim
coram rege.
sex marcc.
debet de eis respondere et prefatus Petriis multos prisones captos
occasione foreste in comitatu Eoteland' inprisonauit in prisona sua
apud Athelakeston' in comitatu Leyc' ut predictum est ; ideo loquen-
dum de eo coram rege.
Idem Petrus posuit lohannem de Neuill', personam de Erburg',
per pleuinam ad ueniendum ad swanimotum suum ad attachiandum
se pro transgressione venacionis in foresta predicta ei imposita. Et
quia idem lohannes non venit ad swanimotum ilium idem Petrus
amerciauit plegios suos et cepit ab eis viginti marcas. Et quia nulla
amerciamenta de transgressione venacionis ad predictum Petrum
pertinent ^ prout superius patet ; ideo respondeat de denariis predictis.
Et ad iudicium de eo etc.
^ Perambulacio foresie Eoteland' incipit ab illo loco vbi uetus^
cursus Lytele incidit in Weland' contra Cotene ; ^ et ab inde per
cursum aque de Weland' usque ad diuisam inter comitatus Lincoln'
et Eoteland' per metas et bundas usque Stumpedestone ; et ab inde
per metas et bundas usque ad pontem Magne Casterton' ; et a ponte
illo per cursum aque de Wass usque ad pontem Empingham ; et a
ponte illo per cursum aque vsque Stanbrigghe,-^ et de Stanbrigge per
medium parcum de Bernardeshul usque Twiford';'' et de Twiford
per cursum aque per mediam uiam ^ de Langham ; et ab inde usque
parcum de Ouertun' ; et ab inde inter Flitris et boscum de Cnossinton'
usque in aquam de Wass ; et ab inde per diuisas inter campum de
Branceston' et Cnossinton' usque Wisp ; et ab inde per diuisas inter
campum de Osolueston' et Wythkoc usque ad ianuam castri de
Sawueye et ab inde per riuulum descendentem de Sawueye usque
ad molendinum ^ Harewyni ; et ab inde usque ad Copptre ; ^ et de
Coptre usque diuisas de Fincheford ; ^ et ab inde per ueterem cursum
de Lytele usque in Weland' contra Cotene.^
' MS. 'pertinet.' '^ EoU 4 in dorso.
^ The word 'uetus' is used because Peter
de Nevill diverted the course of the river.
See Rohdi Hundrcdoruvi, vol. ii. p. 50.
' This is not Kettone, which Ues on the
river Cliaten, but Cotton, in the parish of
Gretton and county of Northampton. Sec
p. 35, above.
^ There is no trace of cither Stanbridgc
or Twiford on the Ordnance Map.
"* The word ' uiam ' is probably a clerical
error for ' uillam.'
' Harewyns Mill and Coptre are not
marked on the Ordnance Map, but Finch-
ford is probably thei'e represented by
Finchley bridge.
" A later perambulation of this forest is
printed on p. 116.
RUTLAND EYRE, A.D. 1269 53
and that the sheriff of Rutland ought to answer for them ; and that
the aforesaid Peter imprisoned in his own prison at Allexton in the
county of Leicester many prisoners who were taken on account of
the forest as is aforesaid ; therefore let it be discussed concerning him
before the king.
The same Peter put John de Neville, the parson of Harbury, on
pledge to come to his swanimote to be attached for a trespass charged
to him to the venison in the forest aforesaid. And because the said
John did not come to that swanimote the same Peter amerced
his pledges, and took from them twenty marks. And because no
amercements for trespass to the venison belong to the aforesaid Peter,
as appears above, therefore let him answer for the money aforesaid,
and to judgment with him etc.
The perambulation of the forest of Rutland begins from that place
where the old course of the Little Eye flows into the Welland
opposite Cotton ; and from thence along the course of the water of
the Welland up to the boundary between the counties of Lincoln and
Rutland ; by metes and bounds as far as Stumpsden ; and from
thence by metes and bounds as far as Great Casterton bridge ; and
from that bridge along the course of the water of the Gwash as far as
Empingham bridge ; and from that bridge along the course of the
water as far as Stanbridge ; and from Stanbridge through the middle
of the park of Barnsdale as far as Twiford ; and from Twiford along
the course of the water through the middle of the town of Langham ;
and from thence as far as the park of Overton, and from thence
between Flitteris and the wood of Knossington as far as the water
of the Gwash, and from thence along the boundaries between the
open field of Braunston and Knossington as far as the Wisp ; and
from thence along the boundaries between the field of Owston and
Withcote as far as the door of the castle of Sauvey, and from thence
by the rivulet which runs down from Sauvey as far as Harewin's
mill ; and from thence to Coptre, and from Coptre as far as the
boundaries of Finchford ; and from thence by the old course of the
Little Eye into the Welland opposite Cotton.
54 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
VIII.'
PLACITA FORESTE APUD GULDEFORD IN COMITATU SUER'
A DIE 2 SANCTI lOHANNIS BAPTISTE IN QUINDECIM
DIES CORAM ROGERO DE CLIFFORD, MATHEO DE
COLUMBAR', NICHOLAO DE ROMESIA ET REGINALDO DE
ACLE lUSTICIARIIS AD EADEM PLACITA AUDIENDA
ASSIGNATIS ANNO REGNI REGIS HENRICI FILII
REGIS lOHANNIS QUINQUAGESIMO TERCIO.
' De venacione in parco domini regis de Guldeford.
Presentatum est et conuictum per viridarios et per viginti et
qiiatuor probos et legales homines tam de villa de Guldeford quam
de partibus adiacentibus et per plures villatas iuratas quod Walterus
Walerand', Willelmus frater eius, Willelmus Schortfrend, Willelmus
Basemund et lohannes Polswavn qui mortui sunt et Thomas de
Bosco fuerunt consueti malefactores de venacione domini regis et de
cuniculis in parco de Guldeford ; et recettati aliquando ad domum
Radulfi de Slifeld' et aliquando ad domum Alani de Slifeld et ali-
quando ad domum lohannis Attehoke qui fuerunt concensientes
malefactis suis. Et hii omnes predicti ceperunt in parco predicto in
festo ^ Pentecostes anno quinquagesimo primo vnum damum et vnam
damam et tresdecim cuniculos sine warento ; et Robertus de Forde
similiter est eorum recettator et concensiens malefactis suis. Predicti
Radulfus, Alanus et lohannes de la Hok' venerunt et super hoc
pri^nl' conuicti detenti sunt in prisona. Et preceptum est vicecomiti quod
faciat venire predictos Thomam et Robertum die ^ Martis in crastino
Translacionis sancti Swthuni. Postea venit predictus Thomas et
prisona. super hoc coDuictus detentus est in prisona. Postea predictus Thomas
3 marca. de Bosco eductus de prisona finem fecit per unam marcam per
pleuinam Willelmi de Chakedon' et Willelmi le Ryde de Stokes. Et
predictus Radulfus de Slifeld' eductus de prisona finem fecit per
dimidia dimidiaui marcam per pleuinam Rogeri de Sutton' et Willelmi de
Chakedon'. Et predictus Alanus eductus a prisona finem fecit per
dimidiam marcam per pleuinam Petri de Murechelegh' et Willelmi le
pnsoiia ;
marca.
dimidia
marca.
' Forest Proceedings, Trcasun/ of Receipt, No. 194.
-' 8 July 1270. ^ Eoll 3 in dorso.
« 5 June 1267. ' 16 July 1269.
SURREY EVRE, A.l). 1270 54
VIII.
PLEAS OF THE FOEEST AT GUILDFOED IN THE COUNTY
OF SUKREY IN THE QUINDENE '^ OF ST. JOHN THE
BAPTIST BEFORE ROGER BE CLIFFORD, MATHEW BE
COLOMBIERES, NICHOLAS OF ROMSEY ANB REYNOLB
OF OAKLEY JUSTICES ASSIGNEB FOR HEARING THE
SAME PLEAS IN THE FIFTY-THIRB YEAR OF THE
REIGN OF KING HENRY THE SON OF KING JOHN.
Of the venison in the lord king's park of Guildford.
It is presented and proved by the verderers and by twenty-four
good and loyal men as well of the town of Guildford as of the parts
adjacent to it, and by many sworn townships that Walter Walerand,
William his brother, William Shortfriend, William Basemund and
John Polswayn who are dead, and Thomas de Bois were habitual
evil doers to the venison of the lord king and to his coneys in
Guildford park ; and sometimes they were harboured at the house
of Ralph of Slyfield, and sometimes at the house of Alan of Slyfield,
and sometimes at the house of John atte Hook, who were privy
to their offences. And all those persons aforesaid took in the
park aforesaid on Whitsunday ^ in the fifty-first year one buck and
one doe and thirteen coneys without warrant. And Robert of Ford
in like manner is their harbourer, and is privy to their offences.
The aforesaid Ralph, Alan and John atte Hook came, and being
convicted of this are imprisoned. And the sheriff is ordered to
cause the aforesaid Thomas and Robert to come on Tuesday^ the
morrow of the Translation of St. Swithin. Afterwards the aforesaid
Thomas came ; and being convicted of this is detained in prison.
Afterwards the aforesaid Thomas de Bois, being brought out of
prison, made fine by one mark by the pledge of William of Chakedon
and William le Ryde of Stoke. And the aforesaid Ralph of Slyfield,
being brought out of prison, made fine by half a mark by the pledge
of Roger of Sutton and William of Chakedon. And the aforesaid
Alan being brought out of prison made fine by half a mark by the
pledge of Peter of Mursley and William le Ryde of Stoke. And
55
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
dimidia
marca.
Ryde de Stokes. Et predictus lohannes eductus de prisona finiuit
per dimidiam marcam [per pleuinam] ^ Andree de Parco et lohannis
le Lormener.
Presentatum est et conuictum per eosdem quod Gilebertus de
Baseuile, qui mortuus est, Andreas de Fremeleswrtb', Piadulfus
Belegambe, Thomas de Braybof et Piobertus Pente, qui mortuus est,
ingressi fuerunt parcum predictum in festo '^ beate Marie Magdalene
anno quadragesimo septimo cum arcubus et sagittis et leporariis ad
malefaciendum de venacione domini regis. Et postquam ingressi
erant superuenit lohannes fihus Albredi qui fuit tunc parcarius sub
Bartolomeo ^ Parcario ; et exclammauit eos ; et ipsi tunc euaserunt,
ita quod non potuerunt capi. Preceptum est vicecomiti quod venire
faciat predictum Andream et Thomam de die in diem etc. Postea
protestatum est per eosdem quod Henricus de Godemanneston' et
Willelmus de la Tone de Farneborogh' de comitatu Suhamt' fuerunt
in societate predicta ; et ideo preceptum est vicecomiti quod venire
faciat predictum Henricum de Godemanneston' de die in diem. Et
mandatum est vicecomiti Suhamt' quod capiat predictum Willelmum
atte Tone de Farneberg et in prisona saluo custodiat usque ad proxi-
mum aduentum iusticiariorum apud Wynton'. Protestatum est
eciam quod predictus lohannes filius Albredi parcarius mandauerat
predictis Gileberto et sociis suis quod venirent die predicto ad pre-
dictum male fact am in predicto parco faciendum ; set quia ipsi male-
factores percepti erant tunc de pluribus hominibus, ipse parcarius
exclammauit eos ad cautelam vt velaret malef actum suum proprium.
Et dicunt iurati quod idem lohannes parcarius alias fuit consenciens
predictis malefactoribus ad malefaciendum de venacione in parco
predicto. Et modo est forestarius in foresta de Wj^idels' sub lordano
forestario de feodo ; ideo preceptum est constabulario de Windels'
quod faciat ipsum venire etc.
Presentatum est et conuictum per eosdem etc. quod Piobertus le
King', Petrus le Long', Willelmus Attehegge, qui mortuus est, Eadulfus
Atteslow, qui similiter mortuus est, et Johannes filius Heurici Attedone
qui fuerunt operarii in parco predicto ad reparandum palicium
eiusdem prostrauerunt plures quercus ad palos inde faciendos ; et cum
venissent fere domini regis ad corrodendum de ramunculis predictarum
• These words are omitted in the roll.
2 22 July 1263.
3 Bartholomew was appointed keeper of
the king's houses and park at Guildford
during pleasure by letters close dated
la May 1-25« (Close Koll 70, memb. S) in
succession to Elias Maunsel. He is de-
scribed in the letters close as the valet
of Edmund the king's son, and elsewhere
{e.g. in Close Roll 85, memb. 8) he is called
Bartholomew of Salisbury.
SURREY EYRE, A.l). 1270 -55
the aforesaid John being brought out of prison made fine by half a
mark by the pledge of Andrew of the Park and John le Lormener.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that Gilbert de
Baseville, who is dead, Andrew of Fremelesworth, Ealph Beljambe,
Thomas de Brayboef, and Eobert Pente, who is dead, entered the park
aforesaid on the feast- of the blessed Mary Magdalene in the forty-
seventh year with bows and arrows and greyhounds to do evil to the
venison of the lord king. And after they had entered, John the son
of Aubrey, who was then the parker, under Bartholomew the parker,
came up, and hailed them. And they then escaped so that they could
not be taken. The sheriff is ordered to cause the aforesaid Andrew
and Thomas to come day by day etc. Afterwards it is witnessed
by the same persons that Henry of Godmanstone, and William atte
Town of Farnborough, of the county of Southampton, were in the
company aforesaid ; therefore the sheriff is ordered that he cause
the aforesaid Henry of Godmanstone to come day by day. And an
order is sent to the sheriff of Southampton that he take the aforesaid
William atte Town of Farnborough and safely keep him in prison
until the next coming of the justices to Winchester. It is witnessed
also that the aforesaid John the son of Aubrey, the parker, had sent
word to the aforesaid Gilbert and his fellows that they should come
on the day aforesaid for the aforesaid evil doing in the aforesaid
park ; but because the aforesaid evil doers were then perceived by
many men, the same parker hailed them by way of device, to con-
ceal his own evil deed. And the jurors say that the same John the
parker on other occasions consented to the aforesaid evil doers doing
evil to the venison in the park aforesaid. And now he is forester in
the forest of Windsor under Jordan the forester in fee ; therefore
the constable of Windsor is ordered to cause him to come etc.
It is presented and proved by the same persons etc. that Eobert
King, Peter Long, Wilham atte Hedge, who is dead, Ealph atte Slough,
who likewise is dead, and John the son of Henry atte Down, who were
workmen in the park aforesaid repairing the paling of the same park,
felled several oaks for making palings thereof. And when the deer of
the lord king came to browse on the little branches of the aforesaid
tlimidia
in.iroa.
alibi
56 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYEE ROLLS
quercuum tetenderunt laqueos ad ipsas capiendas ; et in crastino '
Omnium Sanctorum anno quadragesimo quarto- superuenit Bartholo-
meus parcarius et inuenit predictos malefactores cum predictis laqueis
extensis, et cepit eos, et liberauit eos Willelmo^ la Zuche tunc vice-
comiti Surr' ad inprisonandum ; et postmodum per mandatum Thome''
de Gredlegh', tunc iusticiarii foreste, liberati erant per ballium vsque
ad proxima placita foreste. Predicti Willelmiis et Radulfus mortui,
essoniati prime die de morte ; ideo plegii sui quieti. Et predicti
Eobertus, Petrus et lohannes venerunt et super hoc conuicti detenti
sunt in prisona. Postea predictus lohannes Attedone, eductus a
prisona, finem fecit per dimidiam marcam per pleuinam lohannis de
Garkem . . et "Willehni filii Clemen tis de Wereplesdon'. Postea venit
Piobertus le King [et] eductus a prisona finiuit per dimidiam marcam
per pleuinam Roberti de Parco et Willelmi de Apecrofte. Et predictus
Petrus eductus a prisona finiuit per dimidiam marcam per pleuinam
Pdcardi de Aldeburn' et Andree Atteho[k]e.
Presentatum est etc. quod Philippus de Hertmere (alibi), "Willelmus
alibi. nepos eius (alibi) et Galfridus le Gyw ceperunt in parco predicto in
crastino' sancti Andree anno quadragesimo septimo vnum damum sine
warento. Preceptum est vicecomiti quod faciat eos venire etc. Postea
venerunt predicti Philippus et Willelmus et, super hoc conuicti,
detenti sunt in prisona. Et predicti Philippus et Willelmus fecerunt
finem alibi.'"' Et predictus Galfridus non venit nee fuit attachiatus ;
exigatur. ideo exigatur ; et nisi venerit vtlagetur.
Presentatum est etc. quod Alanus filius Alani Basset, qui mortuus
est, Angodus Baret, Alanus le Forestar', Willelmus le Skot et alii
quorum nomina ignorantur, intrauerunt parcum predictum cum
arcubus et sagittis in crastino^ sancti YUarii anno quadragesimo
octauo ad malefaciendum de venacione domini regis. Et superuenit
Bartholomeus parcarius ; et perceptus de eis exclammauit eos et ipsi
statim fugerunt ita quod non potuerint capi et dimiserunt ibi quinque
de canibus suis quos predictus Bartholomeus cepit et adduxit domino
alibi. regi tunc existente apud Westm'. Predictus Alanus Forestar' est
in prisona ut patet superius ; et predictus Angodus et Willelmus
non venerunt nee fuerunt attachiati quia non fuerunt inuenti, ideo
' 2 November 1259. ' Thomas of Greasley was appointed
- The reading of the MS. is ' quatuor,' justice of the forest south of Trent by
which is probably an error for ' septimo,' in letters patent dated 11 September 1259 (see
which case the date would be 2 November Patent Roll 70, memb. 2).
1262. '^ 1 December 1262.
'■' William la Zuche was not sheriff of " They were convicted of another tres-
Surrey till 9 July 1261 (see List of pass, for which they made tine by twenty
Slieriff's). shillings. ■ 14 January 126|.
SURREY EYRE, A.D. 1270 56
oaks, tbc}' stretched snares for taking them. And on the morrow '
of All Saints in the forty-fourth year Bartholomew the parker came
up and found the aforesaid evil doers with the aforesaid snares
stretched ; and he took them and delivered them to William la Zouche
who was then sheriff of Surrey for imprisonment. And afterwards
by the order of Thomas of Greasley, then the justice of the forest,
they were delivered on bail until the next pleas of the forest. The
aforesaid William and Ealph, who are dead, were essoined the first
day of death ; therefore their pledges are quit. And the aforesaid
Eobert, Peter and John came, and being convicted of this are detained
in prison. Afterwards the aforesaid John atte Down being brought
out of prison made fine by half a mark by the pledge of John of
Garkem.. and William the son of Clement of Worplesdon. After-
wards came Eobert le King and, being brought out of prison, made
fine by half a mark by the pledge of Eobert of the park and William
of Apecroft. And the aforesaid Peter, being brought out of prison,
made fine by half a mark by the pledge of Eichard of Aldbourne and
Andrew atte Hook.
It is presented etc. that Philip of Hurtmore, William his nephew,
and Geoffrey le Gyw on the morrow^ of St. Andrew in the forty-
seventh year took a buck without warrant in the park aforesaid.
The sheriff is ordered to cause them to come etc. Afterwards the
aforesaid Philip and William came, and being convicted of this they
are detained in prison. And the aforesaid Philip and William made
fine elsewhere. And the aforesaid Geoffrey did not come nor was he
attached ; therefore let him be exacted, and if he do not come, let him
be outlawed.
It is presented etc. that Alan the son of Alan Basset, who is
dead, Angod Baret, Alan the forester, William le Scot and others,
whose names are not known, entered the park aforesaid with bows and
arrows on the morrow ^ of St. Hilary in the forty-eighth year to do
evil to the venison of the lord king. And Bartholomew the parker
came up, and when he was perceived by them he hailed them ; and
they forthwith fled, so that they could not be taken. And they
abandoned there five of their dogs, which the aforesaid Bartholomew
took, and brought to the lord king, who was then at Westminster.
The aforesaid Alan the forester is in prison, as appears above, and the
aforesaid Angod and William did not come, nor were they attached,
because they were not found ; therefore let them be exacted, and if
57
SELECTIONS FIIOM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
exigautur. exigantui' et nisi Tenerint vtlagentur. Predictus Alanus finem fecit
alibi.i
^ Adhuc de venacione in parco.
Prosentatum est etc. quod lohannes Byning', qui mortuus est,
fuit malefactor de venacione domini regis in parco predicto et
receptatus [fuit] ad domum lohannis de Aldeham qui malefactis suis
fuit consenciens. Et idem lohannes venit et, super hoc conuictus,
detentus est in prisona. Postea predictus lohannes de Aldeham
eductus de prisona finem fecit per viginti marcas per pleuinam
Pioberti Hamme, Henrici de Middelton', lohannis de Stocton', Ade
de Tundeslegh', Gilberti de Craustoke et Eicardi le Conestable.
Presentatum est etc. quod Andreas de Fremeleswrth', lohannes
le Muegide, qui mortuus est, Walterus Wodecok' et Henricus de
Godmanneston' bersauerunt vnum damum in predicto parco die ^
louis proxima ante festum sancte Margarete anno quadragesimo
septimo. Et superuenit Eicardus le Eam, parcarius sub Bartholomeo
]3arcario. Et perceptus de eis exclamauit eos ; qui continuo fugerunt
ita quod non potuerunt capi. Et predictus Eicardus parcarius cepit
predictum damum et ipsum asportauit ad domum predicti Bartho-
lomei domini sui, qui ilium liberauit lohanni le Taillor senescallo
domini Alani^ la Zuch tunc iusticiarii foreste. Et preceptum est vice-
comiii quod venire faciat predictos Andream, Walterum et Henricum
de die in diem. Et protestatum est quod non possunt inueniri nee
habent terras etc. ; ideo exigantur, et nisi venerint, vtlagentur. Postea
venit predictus Andreas de Fremesleswrth' et super hoc conuictus
detentus est in prisona. Qui eductus a prisona finem fecit per decem
soHdos per pleuinam lohannis de Stocton', Gileberti de Craustok',
Eoberti de Eengni et Petri de la Paryc.
Presentatum est et conuictum per eosdem quod Walterus de
Dorekcestr', qui fuit parcarius sub Bartholomeo Parcario, Stephanus
atte Done et Thomas de Braybof ceperunt vnam damam in predicto
parco die"^ Mercurii in septimana Pentecostes anno quadragesimo
secundo sine warento. Et venacionem illam asportauerunt ad domum
Galfridi de Braybof, qui eos receptauit et malefacto predicto consen-
ciens. Nullus eorum venit nee fuit attachiatus ; ideo preceptum est
vicecomiti quod faciat eos venire de die in diem. Postea venit pre-
' He made fine by half a mark for
another trespass.
■' Boll 4. 3 20 July 1263.
* Alan la Zouche was appointed justice
of the forest south of Trent by letters
patent dated 12 June 12C1 (Patent Roll 74,
menib. 10).
^ 15 May 1258.
SURREY EYRE, A.D. ]270 57
tliey do not come let them be outlawed. The aforesaid Alan made
fine elsewhere.
As yet of the venison in the park.
It is presented etc. that John Byning who is dead was an evil
doer to the lord king's venison in the park aforesaid ; and he was
harboured at the house of John of Aldham, who was privy to his
offences. And the same John came, and being convicted of this
is detained in prison. Afterwards the aforesaid John of Aldham,
being brought out of prison, made fine by twenty marks by the pledge
of Eobert Ham, Henry of Middleton, John of Stockton, Adam of
Tundeslegh, Gilbert of Crawstock and Eichard the constable.
It is presented etc. that Andrew of Fremelesworth, John le
Muegide, who is dead, Walter Woodcock, and Henry of Godman-
stone shot a buck in the park aforesaid on the Thursday^ next
before the feast of St. Margaret in the forty-seventh year. And
Eichard le Earn, the parker under Bartholomew the parker, came up,
and being perceived by them, hailed them, and they forthwith fled,
so that they could not be taken. And the aforesaid Eichard the
parker took the aforesaid buck, and carried it to the house of the
aforesaid Bartholomew his lord, who delivered it to John the Tailor,
the steward of Sir Alan la Zouche, then justice of the forest. And
the sheriff is ordered to cause the aforesaid Andrew, Walter and
Henry to come day by day. And it is witnessed that they cannot be
found, nor have they lands etc. ; therefore let them be exacted, and if
they do not come, let them be outlawed. Afterwards the aforesaid
Andrew of Fremelesworth came, and being convicted of this, is
detained in prison. And being brought out of prison, he made fine
by ten shillings by the pledge of John of Stockton, Gilbert of Craw-
stock, Eobert de Eegny and Peter de la Paryc.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that Walter of
Dorchester, who was parker under Bartholomew the parker, Stephen
atte Down and Thomas de Brayboef took a doe without warrant in the
aforesaid park on the Wednesday'^ in Whitsun week in the forty-second
year, and carried that venison to the house of Geoffrey de Brayboef,
who harboured them and was privy to the offence aforesaid. None of
them came, nor were they attached. Therefore the sheriff is ordered
to cause them to come day by day. Afterwards the aforesaid Geoffrey
I 2
58
SELECTIONS FEOM THE FOREST E\TvE ROLLS
pripona.
ilimidia
marca.
apud
Wvnton'.
exigatur.
pauper.
condoiiatur
pro rege.
prisona.
dictiis Galfridus et, super hoc connictus, detcntus est in prisona. Et
predictus Galfridus, eductus de prisona, finem fecit per quatuor marcas
per pleuinam Eoberti de Regny et lohannis le Garskeyn tam pro se
quam pro predictis Stephano et Thorn a qui sunt de famiha sua.
Postea venit predictus "Walterus ; et, super hoc conuictus, detentus est
in prisona ; et commissus per ballium Koberto le Parker vsque aduen-
tum iusticiariorum ad pacem suam faciendam.
Presentatum est et conuictum etc. quod lohannes filius Albrede
qui fuit parcarius sub predict© Bartholomeo cepit in parco predicto
die ' louis proxima ante festum Translacionis sancti Thome Martiris
anno quadragesimo octauo vniim damum sine warento et venacionem
illam asportauit ad hospicium suum in Guldeford'. Et predictus
lohannes venit ; et, super hoc conuictus, detentus est in prisona. Et
predictus lohannes, eductus a prisona, finem fecit per dimidiam mar-
cam pro hac transgressione et omnibus aliis transgressionibus quia
pauperimus per pleuinam lohannis de Garston' et Nicholai del Park.
Presentatum est etc. quod lohannes frater Alani persone ecclesie de
Aldebyr', qui mortuus est, et Eanulphus nepos eiusdem Alani ceperunt
in parco predicto vnum damum die- Martis proxima ante festum sancte
Trinitatis anno quadragesimo septimo cum leporrariis eiusdem ^
Alani ; et venacionem illam asportauerunt ad domum ipsius Alany
apud Aldebyr', qui eos receptauit et malefacto predicto consensit.
Et quia protestatum est quod predictus Pianulphus manet in
eomitatu Suhamt' ; ideo mandatum est vicecomiti eiusdem comitatus
quod faciat eum venire coram iusticiariis foreste apud "Wynton' in
Gctabis sancti Michaelis. Et mandatum est episcopo Wynton' quod
faciat venii-e predictum Alauum.
Presentatum est per eosdem et conuictum quod Eobertus frater
Eeginaldi de Nyweddegate est frequens malefactor de venacione in
parco predicto. Non venit nee fuit attachiatus, quia non fuit inuentus ;
ideo exigatur ; et nisi venerit vtlagetur.
Presentatum est etc. quod Petrus de Dodelesdon' est frequens
malefactor de venacione et de cuniculis in parco predicto. Idem
Petrus venit et, super hoc conuictus, detentus est in prisona. Con-
donatur pro rege quia [pauper ^].
3 July 1264.
22 May 12G3.
MS. ' eiclem.'
This word is omitted in the roll.
SURREY EYRE, A.D. li^70 68
came, and, being convicted of this, is detained in prison. And tlie
aforesaid Geoffrey, being brought out of prison, made fine by four
marks, as well for himself as for the aforesaid Stephen and Thomas,
who are of his household, b}' the pledge of Eobert de Eegny and John
le Garskeyn. Afterwards came the aforesaid Walter, and being con-
victed of this, he is detained in prison. And he is committed on bail
to Eobert the parker until the coming of the justices to make his
peace.
It is presented and proved etc. that John the son of Aubrey, who
was parker under the aforesaid Bartholomew, took in the park afore-
said on the Thursday • next before the feast of the Translation of
St. Thomas the Martyr in the forty-eighth year one buck without
warrant ; and carried that venison to his lodging at Guildford. And
the aforesaid John came, and being convicted of this is detained in
prison. And the aforesaid John, being brought out of prison, made
fine by half a mark for this and all other trespasses because he is
very poor, by the pledge of John of Garston and Nicholas del Park.
It is presented etc. that John the brother of Alan, the parson of
the church of Albury, who is dead, and Eanulph the nephew of
the same Alan took in the park aforesaid one buck with the grey-
hounds of the same Alan on the Tuesday ^ next before the feast of the
Holy Trinity in the forty- seventh year. And they carried that
venison to the house of the same Alan at Albury, who harboured
them and was privy to their offence. And because it is witnessed
that the aforesaid Eanulph dwells in the county of Southampton ;
therefore an order is sent to the sheriff" of the same county to cause
him to come before the justices of the forest at Winchester on the octave
of St. Michael. And an order is sent to the bishop of Winchester to
cause the aforesaid Alan to come.
It is presented by the same persons and proved that Eobert the
brother of Eeynold of Newdigate is an habitual evil doer to the
venison in the park aforesaid. He did not come ; and he was not
attached, because he was not found ; therefore let him be exacted,
and if he do not come, let him be outlawed.
It is presented etc. that Peter of Dodlesdon is an habitual evil
doer to the venison and the coneys in the park aforesaid. The
same Peter came and, being convicted of this, is detained in prison.
He is pardoned on behalf of the king, because he is poor.
59
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
' Adhue de parco.
Herebagium. Aiiiio quadragGsimo primo agistatus fuit parous de Guldeford de
decern equis et centum bobus et vaccis a termino de la Hocked ay "^
vsque ad festum ^ Naiiuitatis beati lohannis Baptiste, videlicet, per
octo septimanas. Et pro quolibet equo boue etc. datus fuit qualibet
septimaiia vnus denarius per tempus supradictum. Et est summa
liij libie. quatuor libre. Et post festum predictum remanserunt in herbagio
predicti parci viginti aueria per duas septimanas et captus fuit de
ijs.vid. quolibet per septimanam obolum et quadrans. Summa duo solidi et
sex denarii vnde Nicholaus lacob debet respondere.
agistamen- Eodcm auno agistatus fuit idem parous de centum et quinquaginta
et sex porcis. Et datus fuit nomine pannagii tercius porcus, videlicet
quinquaginta et duo porci, qui remanserunt in custodia Elie** Mauncel
tunc existentis paroarii, sicut idem Elias presens recognouit. Et
oiiij s, valuit quilibet porcus duo solidi. Summa centum et quatuor solidi
vnde predictus Elias debet respondere.
Anno quadragesimo secundo agistatus fuit predictus parous de
decem equis et sexies viginti aueriis per duas septimanas, et de decem
equis et sexaginta aueriis per quatuor septimanas, et de quatuor equis
et sexdecim aueriis per quinque septimanas. Et datus fuit pro
quolibet equo per septimanam vnus denarius et pro quolibet alio
xiiiij s. ix d, auerio obolus et quadrans. Summa quadraginta et quatuor solidi et
nouem denarii, vnde Nicholaus Jacob debet respondere de quindecim
solidis et Walterus ^ le Parker de nouem solidis et Elias Mauncel de
viginti solidis et nouem denariis.
Anno quadragesimo tercio agistatus fuit predictus parous de
centum et quinquaginta aueriis et de sex equis per duas septimanas
et de quater viginti aueriis et quatuor equis per quinque septimanas
et de quadraginta et quinque aueriis per quatuor septimanas. Et
datus fuit pro herbagio cuiuslibet equi vnus denarius per septimanam
et pro quolibet alio auerio obolum et quadrans per septimanam.
lij s. vij d. Summa quinquaginta et duo solidi et septem denarii vnde Bartholo-
meus Parcarius debet respondere.
Anno quadragesimo quarto nullum fuit agistamentum de herbagio *^
pro tempore gwere. Fuit tamen agistatus de ducentis et quadraginta
porcis in pessona. Et datus fuit pro pannagio cuiuslibet porci
' EoU 4 in dorso.
= 25 April 1-257.
=• Sunday, 24 June 1257.
* Elias Maunsel was appointed warden
of the park of Guildford by letters close
dated 2 October 1250 in succession to Aian,
the son of Robert Fairchild (see Close Roll
64, menib. 3).
* This is the Walter of Dorchester men-
tioned on p. 57.
* MS. 'hergagio.'
SURREY EYRE, A.D. 1270 59
As yet of the park.
In the forty-first year the park of Guildford was agisted with ten
horses and one hundred oxen and cows from the term of Hockday ^
until the feast ^ of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, that is to say
for eight weeks. And for each horse, ox, etc., there was given for
each week one penny during the period abovesaid. And the total is
four pounds. And after the feast aforesaid there remained on the
herbage of the aforesaid park twenty beasts of the plough for two
weeks ; and there were taken for each beast three farthings a week.
Total two shillings and sixpence, wherefor Nicholas James is to
answer.
In the same year the same park was agisted with one hundred
and fifty-six pigs. And there was given in the name of pannage every
third pig, that is to say fifty-two pigs, which remained in the custody
of Elias Maunsel, who was then parker, as the same Elias being
present acknowledged. And each pig was worth two shillings. Total
one hundred and four shillings, wherefor the aforesaid Elias is to answer.
In the forty-second year the aforesaid park was agisted with ten
horses and six score beasts of the plough for two weeks, and with ten
horses and sixty beasts of the plough for four weeks, and ivith four
horses and sixteen beasts of the plough for five weeks. And there
was given for each horse one penny a week, and for every other beast
of the plough three farthings. Total forty-four shillings and nine-
pence, whereof Nicholas James is to answer for fifteen shillings, and
Walter the parker for nine shillings, and Elias Maunsel for twenty
shillings and ninepence.
In the forty-third year the aforesaid park was agisted with one
hundred and fifty beasts of the plough and six horses for two weeks,
and fourscore beasts of the plough and four horses for five weeks, and
forty-five beasts of the plough for four weeks. And there was given
for the herbage of each horse one penny a week, and for each other
beast three farthings a week. Total fifty-two shillings and seven-
pence, wherefor Bartholomew the parker is to answer.
In the forty-fourth year there was no agistment for herbage,
because of the war. The park was nevertheless agisted with two
hundred and forty pigs for mast. And there was given for the
60 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOllEST EYRE ROLLS
iiij ubre. quatuor denarii. Summa quatuor libre vnde heredes Alani ^ Farchild
debent respondere.
Idem parens non fiiit agistatns anno quadragesimo quinto neque
anno quadragesimo sexto nee de berbagio nee de pannagio. Et anno
quadragesimo septimo non fuit agistatus de berebagio. Fuit tamen
agistatus eodem anno de centum porcis in pessona. Datus fuit pro
xixnij s. pannagio euiuslibet porci quatuor denarii. Summa triginta et qua-
tuor solidi et quatuor denarii, vnde predictus Nicbolaus lacob debet
respondere.
Anno quadragesimo oetauo non fuit agistatus predictus parcus de
porcis pro defectu pessone. Fuit tamen agistatus de quinquaginta et
sex aueriis per vnam mensem, vnde Bartbolomeus Parcarius recepit
liiij s. pi'o herbagio quatuordecim solidi ; et debet inde respondere.
Anno quadragesimo nono, quinquagesimo, quinquagesimo primo
non fuit agistatus nee de porcis nee de aueriis.
Anno quinquagesimo secundo non fuit agistatus de porcis pro
defectu pessone. Fuit tamen agistatus de aueriis, vnde Bartbolomeus
"ij "• Parcarius recepit quatuor libras de quibus respondeat.
De Elia Mauncel et Waltero Purbik' de coperonibus in predicto
xiiiij s. iiij d. parco venditis quadraginta et quatuor solidi et quatuor denarii.
Anno quinquagesimo secundo prostrate fuerunt quinquaginta
quercus in predicto parco ad operaciones domorum domini regis apud
Guldeford' ; et frater Painulphus de Combreit' custos operacionum
xvij s. regis vendidit coporones earum pro decern et septem solidis quos idem
frater recej)it.
De heredibus Alani ^ Longis mortui de precio duarum quercuum
per ipsum venditarum in predicto parco tempore quo fuit parcarius
iij 9. ix d. in predicto parco tres solidi et nouem denarii.
Walterus le Parker recepit de cablicio in predicto parco anno
«i s. quadragesimo tercio tres solidos vnde idem respondeat.
Piicardus [Excbire] seruiens Bartholomei le Parker recepit de
cableicio in predicto parco vnam marcam vjide respondeat.
' As Alan Fairchild, or Farchild, was same person as Alan Farchild mentioned
succeeded as parker by Elias Maunsel on above. He may also be a certain Alan of
2 October 1250 (see note 4, p. 59), it is Guildford who is twice described as parker
evident that in 44 Hen. iii. he must have of the park of Guildford in the Close Eoll
been merely an assistant parker or an of 40 Hen. iii. (see Close Koll 74. memb. 1
agister. and memb. 5 d.). In any case, he can only
' It is possible that Alan Lon;:i§ is the have been an assistant parker.
SURREY EYRE, A.D. 1270 GO
pannage of each pig fourpence. Total four pounds, wherefor the hoh's
of Alan Farchild are to answer.
The same park was not agisted in the forty-fifth year nor in the
forty-sixth either for herbage or for pannage. And in the forty-
seventh year it was not agisted for herbage. It was nevertheless
agisted in the same year with one hundred pigs for mast. There was
given for the pannage of each pig fourpence. Total thirty-four
shillings and fourpence, wherefor the aforesaid Nicholas James is to
answer.
In the forty-eighth year the aforesaid park was not agisted with
pigs for want of mast. Nevertheless it was agisted with fifty-six
beasts of the plough during one month, and Bartholomew the parker
received for the herbage thereof fourteen shillings ; and he is to
answer therefor.
In the forty-ninth, the fiftieth, and the fifty-first year it was not
agisted either with pigs or with beasts of the plough.
In the fifty-second year it was not agisted with pigs for want of
mast. It was nevertheless agisted with beasts of the plough, and
Bartholomew the parker received four pounds therefor, for which
let him answer.
Of Elias Maunsel and Walter Purbik for shrouds sold in the
aforesaid park, forty-four shillings and fourpence.
In the fifty-second year fifty oaks were felled in the aforesaid park
for the house building works of the lord king at Guildford, and Friar
Eanulph of Combreiton, the guardian of the king's works, sold their
shrouds for seventeen shillings, which the same brother received.
Of the heirs of Alan Longis, deceased, three shillings and nine-
pence for the price of two oaks sold by him in the aforesaid park at
the time when he was parker in the aforesaid park.
Walter the parker received for windfalls in the aforesaid park in
the forty-third ye-Ar three shillings, wherefor let him answ^er.
Eichard Exchire, the servant of Bartholomew the parker, received
for windfalls in the aforesaid park one mark, wherefor let him
answer.
61
SELECTIONS FEOM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
' Mete et bunde ^ de foresta in comitatu Surr' : per Haume vsque
ad pontem de Gildeford' per ripam de Waye ; et de ponte de Gilde-
foid' per la Copledecroclie ^ vsque ad pontem de Mallresot; per Wode-
brok * vsque ad pontem de Brodesford' ^ ; et sic per regale cheminum
vsque ad Herpesford' ; et sic per riuulum de Herepesford' vsque ad
Certes' ; et sic per Tamisiam vsque ad Hammes.
IX. (a) .6
PLACITA FOEESTE DE SCHIREWOD' APUD NOTINGHAM
CORAM DOMINIS WILLEL1\[0 DE VESCY, THOMA DE NOR-
MANUILL' ET EICARDO DE CREPPIiNGG' lUSTICIARIIS
DOMINI REGIS ITINERANTIBUS AD PLACITA EIUSDEM
FORESTE IN CRASTINO ' SANCTI HILLARII ANNO EEGNI
EEGIS EDWARDI QUINTO DECIMO PER FORESTAEIOS
ET YIEIDAEIOS SUBSCEIPTOS VIDELICET PER :—
Eicardum de lorz, "Willelmum de Colewyk', loliannem de Anesleye,
Henricum de Tyneslawe, Willelmum de Beuercotes et Eadulfum
Clericum de Mammesfeld', iuratos ;
Eobertum de Eueringham, forestarium feodi, et sub ipso Eicardum
de Coningeston', attornatum suum, Eobertum le TayUur, Hugonem
Flambard', Willelmum Piscarium, Willelmum de Dunolm', Adam de
Ebor', Eobertum de Straleye et Willelmum de Blakeburn', forestarios
iuratos eiusdem Eoberti, Walterum de Wynkeburn', attornatum
iusticiarii foreste et sub ipso Willelmum de Hasting', Willelmum de
Schaffeud', Willelmum le Waleys, Eogerum de Lyndeby, Bate de
eadem, Hugonem de Mammesfeld' et Henricum filium Eicardi de
Clippeston'.
* Presentatum est et conuictum etc. quod die ^ Mercurii proxima
post festum sancti Willelmi archiepiscopi Ebor' noctanter anno *°
' Eoll 1 in dorso.
- These metes and bounds should be
compared with those printed on p. 117.
' There can be little doubt that the
Copledecroche is identical with the modern
Hog's Back.
* The Woodbrook is perhaps the modern
Blackwater.
^ Probably Brodesford is identical with
the Brydeford mentioned as a boundary of
the forest in certain letters patent dated
26 December 1327 (Patent Eoll 168, m. 3),
and there stated to be ' where the three
counties meet,' in which case it corre-
sponded to the modern Blackwater Bridge.
" Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Re-
ceipt, No. 127.
' 14 January 128f.
0 Boll 3.
" 0 June 1276.
'" In 4 Ed. i.
SURREY EYRE, A.D. 1270 61
Metes and bounds of the forest in the county of Surrey : through
Ham as far as Guildford bridge along the bank of the Wey ; and from
Guildford bridge along the Copledecroche as far as the Mallresot
bridge ; by the Woodbrook as far as Brodesford bridge ; and so by
the king's highway to Herpesford ; and so by the little river from
Herpesford as far as Chertsey ; and so by the Thames to Ham.
IX. (a).
PLEAS OF THE FOREST OF SHERWOOD AT NOTTINGHAM
BEFORE SIRS WILLIAM DE YESCY, THOMAS DE NOR-
MANVILLE, AND RICHARD OF CREEPING, JUSTICES
IN EYRE OF THE LORD KING FOR PLEAS OF THE
SAME FOREST, ON THE MORROW^ OF ST. HILARY IN
THE FIFTEENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING
EDWARD BY THE FORESTERS AND VERDERERS NAMED
BELOW, TO WIT BY :—
Richard de Jort, William of Colwick, John of Annesley, Henry of
Tinsley, William of Bevercotes and Ralph the clerk of Mansfield, who
were sworn ;
Robert of Everingham, forester in fee, and under him Richard of
Coningeston, his attorney, Robert the tailor, Hugh Flambard,
William the fisher, William of Durham, Adam of York, Robert
of Strelley, and William of Blackburn, the sworn foresters of the
same Robert ; Walter of Winkburn, the attorney of the justice of
the forest, and under him William of Hastings, William of Shaffeld,
William the Welshman, Roger of Linby, Bate of the same town,
Hugh of Mansfield, and Henry the son of Richard of Clipstone.
It is presented and proved etc. that on the Wednesday ^ next after
the feist of St. William, archbishop of York, in the year aforesaid Robert
62
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
predicto venerunt Eobertus filius Agnetis Bonde de Edenstowe et
Eicardus ad capud ville de eadem per mediam villam de Welhawe
cum duobus feonibus bisse. Et predictus Eobertus captus fuit cum
feone suo per homines vigilantes in villa de Welhawe ; et commissus
cippis Petro de la Barre de eadem. Et idem Eobertus fregit cippos et
fugit; ideo predictus Petrus manucaptus fuit ad respondendum.
Qui predictus Eicardus venit et, super hoc conuictus, liberatur prisone ;
(et est alibi; est redemptus')- Et testatum est quod Eobertus filius
Agnetis est mortuus ; ideo de eo nichil. Et predictus Petrus manet
in eodem comitatu ; ideo preceptum est vicecomiti etc.
exigatur.
dimidia
'■^ Presentatum est etc. quod Alanus de Leyrton', clericus foreste
de Schirewod', per Adam de Eueringham, et Eobillard', garcio eius,
ceperunt vnam dam am in parco de Clippestoii' die ^ Veneris proxima
ante Ascenscionem Domini anno regni regis Edwardi septimo cum
vno leporario ruifo, que commesta fuit cum ^ porcis, quia tam sero
capta fuit, quod non potuit inueniri. Qui predictus Alanus venit coram
iusticiariis et super hoc conuictus liberatur prisone. Et predictus
Eobyllard non venit, nee est inuentus, nee habet,'^ nee scitur,*^ nee
aliquis etc.,^ ideo exigatur. Et predictus Alanus est redemptus ad
dimidiam marcam. Et inuenit manucaptores vt patet etc.
8 Cum Willelmus de Vescy et socii sui iusticiarii itinerantes ad
placita foreste de Schirewod' apud Notyngham in octabis^ sancti
Hillarii anno regni regis Edwardi quintodecimo inuenerunt quod
dominus rex dampna multimoda habuerit et sustinuerit ab itinere ^"
Eoberti de Neuill' vsque presens iter pluribus de causis assise foreste
minus bene obseruate : —
1. Inprimis prouisum est per eosdem iusticiarios quod omnes
viridarii foreste conueniant de quadraginta diebus in quadraginta dies
ad attachiamenta tenenda, sicut continetur in carta de foresta, tam
' He was ransomed for twenty pence for
another trespass, the presentment of which
is enrolled on EoU 1 dorso.
2 Koll 5 d. '5 May 1279.
* This use of ' cum ' is peculiar ; but an-
other example of it in the same sense
occurs on the Nottingham eyre rolls of
1334, thus, ' Et carnes manducate f uerunt
emu porcis ' (see For. I'roc, Tr. of lice, No.
132, Boll. 7).
* The words ' per quod attachiari potest '
must be supplied here.
" The words ' ubi manet ' must be sup-
plied here.
' It is doubtful what words are intended
to be represented by the ' etc. ' ; but pro-
bably they are ' apparet ijro eo,' meaning
that nobody appears to essoign him of
death.
« Koll 10 d. = 20 January 128f.
'" liobert de Neville and others were jus-
tices in eyre at Nottingham in 17 Hen. iii.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1287 62
the son of Agnes Bonde of Edwinstowe, and Eichard atte Townsend,
of the same town, came by night through the middle of the town of
Wellow with two fawns of a hind. And the aforesaid Richard was
taken with his fawn by men watching in the town of Wellow ; and
committed to the stocks of Peter de la Barre of the same town. And ■
the same Robert broke the stocks and fled ; therefore the aforesaid
Peter found mainperners to make answer. And the aforesaid
Richard came, and being convicted of this is sent to prison. (And he
is ransomed elsewhere.) And it is witnessed that Robert the son of
Agnes is dead ; therefore nothing of him. And the aforesaid Peter
dwells in the same county ; therefore the sheriff is ordered etc.
It is presented etc. that Alan of Leverton, the clerk of the forest
of Sherwood, by Adam of Everingham, and Robillard his page took a
doe in the park of Clipston on the Friday ^ next before Ascension Day
in the seventh year of the reign of king Edward with a red grey-
hound. And the doe was eaten by the pigs, because it was taken so
late in the evening that it could not be found. And the aforesaid
Alan came before the justices, and being convicted of this is sent to
prison. And the aforesaid Robillard does not come, nor is he found,
nor has he etc. ; nor is it known etc., nor is any one etc. ; therefore
let him be exacted. And the aforesaid Alan is ransomed at half a
mark. And he finds pledges as appears etc.
Whereas William de Vescy and his fellow justices, itinerating for
pleas of the forest of Sherwood at Nottingham on the octave^ of
St. Hilary in the fifteenth year of the reign of king Edward, found
that the lord king had incurred and sustained losses of many kinds
from the time of the eyre ^° of Robert de Neville till the present eyre,
from many instances of the assize of the forest not having been
sufficiently observed :
1. First it is provided by the same justices that all verderers of
the forest are to assemble every forty days to hold, as is contained in
the charter of the forest, attachments both concerning the vert and
63 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
fie viricli et venacione quam de minutis placitis tenendis et placitandis
que debentplacitari in attachiamentis, vt de hiis que inferius tanguntur.
Et quod omnes viridarii decetero respondeant coram iusticiariis in
itinere per vnum rotulum de viridi et venacione ; et non quilibet
per se habeat rotulos de diuersis balliuis proferendos coram
iusticiariis.
2. Item prouisum est quod omnes dominici bosci domini regis et
haye et parci sui decetero sic custodiantur de viridi, quod si quis
manens infra forestam captus fuerit in eisdem amputans viridem
quercum per terram, attachiatur veniendi ad proximum attachia-
mentum et ibi inueniet sufficientes plegios vsque proximum iter. Et
manuopus statim apprecietur per forestarios et viridarios et reddat
precium viridariis in pleno attachiamento quando inueniet plegios
vsque iter. Et si idem alias inuentus fuerit cum consimili transgres-
sione viridi in dominicis boscis vel haiis fiat de eo vt prius. Et si
tercio inueniatur cum huiusmodi transgressione in dominicis boscis
vel haiis capiatur et prisone domini regis Notyngh' saluo custodiatur
quousque deliberetur per speciale mandatum domini regis vel eius
iusticiarii de ^ foresta.
3. Item prouisum est quod si aliquis manens extra forestam
inuentus fuerit cum aliqua transgressione viridi infra dominicos boscos
domini regis vel bayas statim manuopus apprecietur vt superius et
corpus suum committatur prisone quousque deliberetur per mandatum
regis vel iusticiarii foreste. Et si seeundo inuentus fuerit in eisdem
boscis vel haiis fiat de eo vt prius. Et si tercio ammittat equos cum
caretta vel boues cum carra, vel precium eorundem ; et illud precium
in proximo et pleno attachiamento liberetur viridariis vel quatuor
villatis propinquioribus ad opus domini regis, vt ipse viridarius vel
heredes sui vel villate respondeant domino regi coram iusticiariis in
itinere.
4. Item prouisum est pro hiis qui manent infra forestam, quod
cum capti fuerint in dominicis boscis domini regis vel haiis ampu-
tantes bletrones, branchias vel siccum de quercubus vel querulos vel
spinetas vel telam vel alneam vel hussum vel huiusmodi arbores sine
waranto attachientur per duos bonos plegios veniendi ad proximum
attachiamentum inde responsuri ; et ibi amercientur secundum
quantitatem transgressionis sue coram scnescallo et viridariis ; et
This and the following word are repeated in the MS.
KOTTINGIIAMSIIIRE EYRE, A.D. 1287 G3
venison, and for the holding and pleading small pleas, which ought to
be pleaded in attachments, such as those pleas which are touched upon
below ; and that all verderers in future are to make answer before the
justices in eyre by a single roll of the vert and the venison ; and
that they are not to have, each one for himself, rolls of the different
bailiwicks for production before justices.
2. Also it is provided that all the demesne woods of the lord
king and his enclosures and parks be in future so guarded as to the
vert, that if any one dwelling within the forest be taken in the same
felling a green oak to the ground he be attached to come to the next
attachment, and there he is to find sufficient pledges till the next
eyre. And his mainour is forthwith to be appraised by the foresters
and verderers ; and he is to pay the price to the verderers in full
attachment, when he shall find pledges till the eyre. And if the
same man be found a second time trespassing in like manner against
the vert in the demesne woods or enclosures, it is to be done with
him as before. And if he be found a third time so trespassing in the
demesne woods or enclosures, he is to be taken and safely kept in the
prison of the lord king at Nottingham, until he be delivered by the
special order of the lord king or his justice of the forest.
3. Also it is provided that if any one dwelling outside the forest
be found doing any trespass against the vert within the demesne
woods of the lord king or in an enclosure, his mainour is to be forth-
with appraised as above, and his body is to be committed to prison
until he be delivered by the mandate of the king or the justice
of the forest. And if he be found a second time in the same woods
or enclosures it is to be done with him as before. And if a third
time, he is to lose his horses with his cart, or his oxen with his
waggon, or their price ; and that price is to be paid in the next and
full attachment to the verderers or to the four neighbouring townships
for the use of the lord king, so that the verderer or his heirs or the
townships may answer therefor to the lord king before the justices
in eyre.
4. Also it is provided with respect to those who dwell within the forest
that when they are taken in the demesne woods of the lord king or in
his enclosures cutting saplings, branches or dry wood from oaks or
hazels or thorns or a lime or an alder or a holly or such like trees
without warrant, they are to be attached by two good pledges to come
to the next attachment to make answer therefor ; and there they are
to be amerced according to the quantity of their trespass before the
steward and verderers ; and that amercement is to be raised at the next
64 SELECTIONS FEOM THE FOREST EYIIE ROLLS
illud amerciamentum leuetur ad opus domini regis ad proximum
attachiamentum nisi sit pro bletrone qui excedit precium quatuor
denariorum ; et si excedat tunc attachietur vsque iter vt predictum est.
5. Item prouisum est quod escapia aueriorum in dominicis hayis
vel boscis implacitentur in attachiamentis et emende ibidem capiantur
ad opus domini regis. Et omnes alie transgressiones foreste facte
extra assisam foreste et contra magnam cartam de foresta decetero
placitentur in attachiamentis et emende ibidem capiantur secundum
quantitatem transgressionis ad opus domini regis.
6. Item prouisum est quod nullus decetero deferat arcus vel
sagittas in foresta nisi sit forestarius iuratus extra viam regiam. Et
si in via regia tunc deferat secundum assisam foreste. Nee aliquis
aliquem attachiat nisi sit forestarius iuratus vel minister qui sacra-
mentum prestiterit coram iusticiariis.
7. Item prouisum est quod si quis manens extra forestam agista-
uerit sua animalia infra dominica domini regis in landis boscis et
hayis sine waranto vel cum wardo facto, quorumcumque fuerint
animalia in eisdem inuenta, et per forestarios domini regis iuratos
capta, appreciantur coram viridariis ; et illud precium eisdem viridariis
liberetur vel villatis propinquioribus ad respondendum coram iusti-
ciariis in itinere.
8. Item prouisum est quod omnimode transgressiones in forinsccis
boscis extra dominicum boscum domini regis inuente per forestarios
domini regis iuratos per eosdem forestarios attachientur, et in
attachiamentis implacitentur, nisi sint placita que pertinent ad iter
iusticiariorum.
9. Et quia euidenter constat iusticiariis in itinere predicto, quod
tam magna oneracio regardatorum in foresta predicta non est
sustinenda propter magnum domini regis dampnum nee permittenda,
prouisum est quod decetero non sint in ista foresta nisi tantummodo
duodecim regardatores ; et quod illi regardatores faciant regardum
per totam forestam, quociens assisa foreste voluerit.
10. Item prouisum est de hiis qui noctanter et in mense vetito
capti fuerint, quod fiat de eis sicut prius fieri consueuit.
NOTTIXGIIAMSIIIRE EYRE, A.U. 1287 64
attachment for the use of the lord king, unless it be for a sapling which
is of a greater price than fourpence ; and if it be of a greater price,
then he is to be attached until the next eyre, as is aforesaid.
5. Also it is provided that escapes of beasts of the plough in the
demesne enclosures and woods be pleaded in the attachments ; and
amends are there to be taken for the use of the lord king. And
all other trespasses to the forest outside the assize of the forest and
against the great charter of the forest are in future to be pleaded in
the attachments ; and amends are there to be taken according to the
quantity of the trespass for the use of the lord king.
6. Also it is provided that no man in future carry bows or arrows
in the forest outside the king's highway, unless he be a sworn
forester ; and if he carry them in the king's highway, then he is to
carry them according to the assize of the forest. And no man is to
attach any one in future, unless he be a sworn forester or an officer
who has taken the oath before the justices.
7. Also it is provided that if any man dwelling outside the forest
agist his animals within the demesnes of the lord king in his lawns,
woods or enclosures without warrant or with ward set, whosesoever
the animals in them found and taken by the sworn foresters of the lord
king may be, they are to be appraised before the verderers, and their
price is to be paid to the same verderers or to the neighbouring town-
ships in order that they may make answer therefor before the justiv.es
in eyre.
8. Also it is provided that all kinds of trespasses discovered in the
outlying woods outside the demesne woods of the lord king by the
sworn foresters of the lord king, be attached by the same foresters
and pleaded in the attachments, unless they be pleas which belong to
the eyre of the justices.
9. And because it is manifest to the justices in the eyre aforesaid
that so great a burden of regarders in the forest aforesaid is not to be
endured, on account of the great loss to the lord king, and ought not to
be permitted, it is provided that in future there be in this forest twelve
regarders only ; and that those regarders make the regard through
the whole forest as often as the assize of the forest intend.
10. Also it is provided concerning those who are taken by night
and in the fence month, that it be done with them as was formerly
wont to be done.
65 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
IX. (b).^
PLACITA FORESTE DE SHIEEWOD' TENTA APUD NOTINGHAM
DIE LUNE2 PROXIMA POST FEBTUM SANCTI GEORGII
ANNO REGNI REGIS EDWAEDI TERCII POST CONQUES-
TUM OCTAUO CORAM RADULFO DE NEUILL', RICARDO
DE ALDEBURGH' ET PETRO DE MIDDLETON' lUSTI-
CIARIIS DOMINI REGIS ITINERANTIBUS AD PLACITA
FORESTE PER MANDATUM DOMINI REGIS IN HEC
VERBA :—
Edwardus dei gracia rex Angl' dominus Hibern' et dux Aquit'
archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, comitibus, baronibus,
militibus, forestariis, viridariis, agistatoribus, regardatoribus et
omnibus aliis de comitatu Notingham salutem. Sciatis quod consti-
tuimus dilectos et fideles nostros Radulfum de Neuill' et Ricardum de
Aldeburgh' et Petrum de Middelton' et duos eorum iusticiarios nostros
ad itinerandum hac vice ad placita foreste in comitatu predicto.
Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eidem Radulfo, Ricardo, Petro uel
duobus eorum tanquam iusticiariis nostris ad placita foreste ibidem
in omnibus que ad placita ilia pertinent intendentes sitis et respon-
dentes sicut in aliis itineribus ad placita foreste in comitatu predicto
fieri consueuit. In cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri
fecimus patentes.
Teste me ipso apud Ebor' secundo ^ die Marcii anno regni nostri
octauo.
■* Presentatum est et conuictum per eosdem quod Hugo de Wotehale
de Wodeburgli', Willelmus Hyend', Wilkock' quondam seruiens persone
de Clifton' et Steplianus Flemyng' de Notingham die ^ louis proxima
post festum sancti Willelmi archiepiscopi anno regni regis Edwardi
filii regis Edwardi decimo octauo fuerunt in bosco de Arnale in loco
qui dicitur Throwys cum arcubus et sagittis ; et bersauerunt vnum
ceruum, vnde habuit mortem ; et carnes inuente fuerunt putride et
per vermes deuorate in loco qui dicitur Thweycehilli ; et sagitta inuenta
fuit in dicto ceruo vnde fuit bersatus. Et predictus Hugo venit coram
insticiariis et liberatur prisone. Et predicti Willelmus et Wilkock'
1 Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Re- ' 2 March 133|. * Roll 5.
ceq)t, No. 132. '' 25 April" 1334. ^ 13 June 1325.
NOTTIXGIIAMSTIIEE EYRE, A.I). 1334 05
IX. (b).
PLEAS OF THE FOREST OF SHERWOOD HELD AT NOT-
TINGHAM ON THE MONDAY •' NEXT AFTER THE FEAST
OP ST. GEORGE IN THE EIGHTH YEAR OF THE REIGN
OF KING EDWARD, THE THIRD AFTER THE CON-
QUEST, BEFORE RALPH DE NEVILLE, RICHARD OF
ALDBOROUGH, AND PETER OF MIDDLETON, JUSTICES
OF THE LORD KING IN EYRE FOR PLEAS OF THE
FOREST BY THE MANDATE OF THE LORD KING IN
THESE WORDS:-
Edward, by the grace of God, king of England, Lord of Ireland and
Duke of Aquitaine, to the archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, earls,
barons, knights, foresters, verderers, agisters, regarders, and all others
of the county of Nottingham, greeting. Know ye that we have
appointed our well beloved and trusty Ralph de Neville and Richard
of Aldborough and Peter of Middleton and two of them our justices
in eyre this time for pleas of the forest in the county aforesaid.
And therefore we send jou. word that to the same Ralph, Richard,
Peter, or two of them, as to our justices for pleas of the forest there,
in all things which belong to those pleas you be intendent and
respondent as has been wont to happen in other eyres for pleas of
the forest in the county aforesaid. In witness whereof we have caused
these our letters to be made patent. Witness myself at York, the
second day of March, ^ in the eighth year of our reign.
It is presented and proved by the same persons that Hugh of
Wotehale of Woodborough, William Hyend, Wilcock, formerly the
servant of the parson of Clifton and Stephen Fleming of Nottingham
on the Thursday -^ next after the feast of St. William the archbishop
in the eighteenth year of the reign of king Edward the son of king
Edward were in the wood of Arnold, in the place which is called
Throwys, with bows and arrows. And they shot a hart so that it
died. And its flesh was found putrid and devoured by vermin in a
place which is called Thweycehilli ; and the arrow was found in the
said hart, wherewith it was shot. And the aforesaid Hugh came
before the justices and is sent to prison. And the aforesaid William
66 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
non sunt inuenti, nee aliqiiid habent per quod etc.,^ nee prius ete.,'^
nee seitur ' ate., ideo exigantur. Et predictus Stephanus Flemyng'
mortuus est ; ideo de eo nichil. Et postea predictus Hugo eduetus
est a prisona, et condonatur quia pauper. Et predicti Willelmus et
Wilkoe exaeti fuerunt in eomitatu et non eomparuerunt ; ideo vtlagati
sunt.
' Quesitum est ab omnibus ministris foreste super saeramentum
suum a quo vel quibus forestarii domini regis debent et solebant
eapere et habere sustentacionem suam ; qui dicunt quod Edwardus rex
auus domini regis nune inter alia hoe fecit inquirere per breue suum
missum Willehuo ** de Vescy, tunc iustieiario foreste, cuius transcriptum
ostenderunt hie in hee verba : —
•^Edwardus deigraeia rex Angl' dominus Hibern' et dux Aquit' dilecto
et fideh suo Willelmo de Vescy iustieiario foreste sue vltra Trentam
salutem. Yolentes certiorari per vos vtrum balliuam illam quam
Eobertus de Eueringham iam defunctus habuit in foresta nostra de
Shirewode nobis per vos et socios vestros ante mortem prefati Eoberti
propter dehctum'' ipsius adiudieatam donare possumus et quantum
baUiua ' eadem in omnibus exitibus valeat et in quibus rebus consistat,
vobis mandamus quod per saeramentum proborum et legaHum hominum
per quos rei Veritas meHus seiri ^ poterit et per inspeccionem rotulorum
vestrorum, inquiratis super predictis omnibus ^ et singuHs veritatem
et inquisicionem inde distincte et aperte faetam nobis sub sigillo
vestro mittatis et hoc breue. Teste me ipso apud Condom' in Gascon'
octauo die Aprihs anno regni nostri deeimo septimo.
Vnde fuit facta inquisicio apud Notingham coram prefato Willelmo
de Vescy die '" Martis proxima ante Pentecosten anno regni regis
Edwardi deeimo septimo per . . . " viridarios foreste de Shirwode
. . . '^ regardatores eiusdem foreste . . . '^ agistatores eiusdem foreste
et per duodecim iuratores predictis ministris adiunetos, videlicet,
' See note 6, p. 62. sition. post Mortem ' 15 Ed. i. No. 28.
^ The ' etc' represents ' se reddiderunt ' ^ The rolls of the eyre of 15 Ed. i. Con-
or perhaps ' attachiati fuerunt.' tain many cases of trespasses against veni-
'■' Eoll 9 d. son, by Eobert of Everingham.
* William de Vescy was appointed justice ' MS. ' balliuam.' * MS. ' scire.'
of the forest north of the Trent by letters " MS. hominibus.
patent dated 30 June 1285. See Pat. Roll, "> 24 May 1289.
No. 103, memb. 12. " Six names.
^ The original inquisition is at the Public '- Nine names.
Record Office ; the reference to it is Inqtii- '^ Four names. '* Twelve names.
NOTTINGIIAMSHlItE EYRE, A.l). 1334 66
and Wilcock are not found. Nor have they anything whereby etc. ;
nor were they before etc. ; nor is it known etc. ; therefore let them
be exacted. And the aforesaid Stephen Fleming is dead ; therefore
nothing of him. And afterwards the aforesaid Hugh is brought out
of prison, and is pardoned because he is poor. And the aforesaid
William and Wilcock were exacted in the county and did not appear ;
therefore they are outlawed.
All the ministers of the forest are asked upon their oath from
what person or persons the foresters of the lord king ought and were
wont to receive and have their living. And they say that king
Edward, the grandfather of the lord king who now is, among other
things caused an inquiry to be made by his writ, sent to William de
Vescy then justice of the forest, the transcript of which they showed
here in these words : —
Edward by the grace of God, king of England, lord of Ireland
and duke of Aquitaine, to his trusty and well beloved William de
Vescy, justice of his forest beyond Trent, greeting. Wishing to be
certified by you whether we can give that bailiwick which Robert of
Everingham, now deceased, had in our forest of Sherwood and which
was adjudged to us by you and your fellows before the death of the
aforesaid Eobert by reason of his misdeeds, and how much the same
bailiwick is worth with all its issues, and of what things it consists ;
we command you that by the oath of good and loyal men, by whom
the truth of the matter can best be known, and by the inspection of
your rolls you cause the truth to be inquired concerning all and sin-
gular the aforesaid things, and the inquisition plainly and openly
made thereof, you do send to us under your seal, and this writ.
Witness myself at Condon in Gascony, on the eighth day of April, in
the seventeenth year of our reign,
Whereof an inquisition was made at Nottingham before the afore-
said William de Vescy on the Tuesday '° next before Whitsunday in the
seventeenth year of the reign of king Edward by . . . verderers
of the forest of Sherwood, . . . regarders of the same forest, . . .
agisters of the same forest, and by twelve jurors associated to the
aforesaid ministers, to wit . . .
67 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
Qui dicunt super sacramentum suurn quod Robertus de Euering-
ham racione balliue sue debuit fugare leporem, vulpem, scurellum et
catum in foresta.
Item dicunt quod debuit habere corticem et eouporones quercuum
quas dominus rex dederat de dominicis boscis suis per breue suum.
Item dicunt quod debet habere retropannagium quociens con-
tigerit.
Item dicunt quod debuit habere expeditacionem canum non expe-
ditatorum, videlicet de quohbet cane non expeditato tres sob'dos de
tribus annis in tres annos quando breue domini regis venit ad
regardum faciendum.
Item dicunt quod de mohs cariatis quando transierunt per forestam
habuit per annum viginti solidos.
Item dicunt quod tenuit decem feoda militum de domino rege in
capite de quorum seruicio exoneratus fuit propter custodiam foreste
et ad inueniendos forestarios suos sumptibus suis propriis.
Item dicunt quod omnes terre sue quas ^ habuit in foresta sunt
extra regardum racione balliue sue et omnes canes de feodo suo non
erunt expeditati.
Item dicunt quod balliua predicti Roberti abiudicata ^ fuit de se
et heredibus suis imperpetuum m vltimo itinere Willelmi de Vescy et
sociorum suorum iusticiariorum domini regis ad placita foreste apud
Notingham itinerancium pro pluribus defaltis de quibus fuit conuictus
in eodem itmere ; per quod dominus rex balliuam forestarii feodi de
Shirewode potest conferre cuicunque sibi placuerit.
In cuius rei testimonium predicti ministri et alii iurati presenti
inquisicioni sigilla sua apposuerunt.
Et dicunt quod nesciunt aliud dicere nisi quod predicti iurati
dicebant. Et sic ponitur in respectu.
' Rotulus de amerciamentis de comiictis in attachiamentis de trans-
gressionibus viridis vltra precium quatuor denariorum et que non
potuerunt amereiari nisi in itinere.
De Radulfo filio Reginaldi de Edenestowe pro vna quercu decem
denariorum, vnde viridarii sunt onerati in rotulo de precio viridis.
Et pro transgressione in misericordia nunc in itinere. Plegii Ricardus
de Normanton' et Ricardus Godard' de Thouresby.
' MS. ' que.' -' MS. ' acTiudicata. ^ Extracts from rolls 11 to 1-1.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1334 67
Who say upon their oath that Robert of Evermgham by reason
of his baihwick had the right to hunt the hare, the fox, the squirrel
and the cat in the forest.
And they say that he had the right to have the bark and the
crops of oaks which the lord king had given from his demesne woods
by his writ.
And they say that he has the right to have after-pannage, as
often as it occurs.
And they say that he had the right to have the lawing of dogs not
lawed ; that is to say, from every dog not lawed three shillings every
three years, when the writ of the lord king comes to make a regard.
And they say that he had of millstones when they were carried
through the forest twenty shillings a year.
And they say that he held ten knights' fees in chief of the lord
king, from the service of which he was exonerated on account of his
custody of the forest and in return for finding his foresters at his
own cost.
And they say that all his lands which he held in the forest are
outside the regard by reason of his bailiwick ; and no dogs of his fee
shall be lawed.
And they say that the bailiwick of the aforesaid Robert was
adjudged away from him and his heirs for ever in the last eyre of
William de Vescy and his fellow justices of the lord king, itinerating
at Nottingham for pleas of the forest, for many defaults of which he
was convicted in the same eyre ; wherefore the lord king can confer
the bailiwick of the forester in fee of Sherwood, on whomsoever it
please him.
In witness whereof the aforesaid ministers and other jurors have
put their seals to this present inquisition.
And they say that they cannot say aught else than what the
aforesaid jurors said. And so the matter is respited.
Roll of amercements of persons convicted in the attachments of
trespasses against the vert appraised at more than fourpenco ;
and which cannot be amerced except in the eyre.
Of Ralph the son of Reynold of Edwinstowe for an oak, of the
price of tenpence, wherewith the verderers are charged in the roll of
the price of the vert. And for the trespass, he is now in mercy in the
eyre. His pledges are Richard of Normanton and Richard Godard of
Thoresby.
68 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
misericor.iia De Eicardo filio Piicardi de Hibern' de Mamesfeld' pro vna quercu,
precii duodecim denariorum, vnde viridarii, etc'
misericordia De Ecginaldo filio Galfridi de Thoresby pro vna stobe precii octo
denariorum, vnde viridarii, etc.
misericordia J)q Nicliolao Bateman de Boteby pro vna blestrone, precii sex de-
nariorum, vnde viridarii, etc.
misericordia De Radulfo Molendinario de Sutton' pro trescentum lattarum,
XVll] Q. _ _ ....
precii duodecim denariorum, vnde viridarii, etc.
misericordia
xviij d.
xviij d.
misericordia
misericordia
xij d.
De lohanne super moram de Warsepe pro vna carectata maeremie,
precii sex denariorum, vnde viridarii, etc.
misericordia De Waltcro le Norreys de Blitheworth' pro truncacione vnius
quercus, precii sex denariorum, vnde viridarii, etc.
misericordia De Hugone ad Pontem de eadem pro stoches, precii octo denario-
rum, vnde viridarii, etc.
misericordia De Eicardo filio Galfridi filii luonis de eadem pro cheueronibus,
precii decern denariorum, vnde viridarii, etc.
misericordia De Nicholao Payne de Warsop pro vno ramo, sex denariorum,
vnde viridarii, etc.
De lohanne filio Willelmi de Thoure pro vna quercu viride, precii
decern et octo denariorum, vnde viridarii, etc.
De Gilberto Fadir et Gileberto Gilling' pro melle asportato de bosco,
precii sex denariorum, vnde viridarii, etc.
De Thoma Sheth de Mamesfeld' pro vna domo vendita.
- De precio viridis ; et amerciamenta viridariorum quia non
habuerunt rotulos de tempore suo.
De viridariis anno regis Edwardi aui domini regis nunc quinto
decimo de precio viridis de attacliiamentis de Maunnesfeld' de eodem
anno vj s. v d.
De eisdem viridariis quia non habuerunt rotulos de attacliiamentis
de Lindeb}^ Bulwell', Caluerton et Eden' de eodem anno ; in miseri-
cordia X s.
De viridariis de anno eiusdem regis sextodecimo de precio viridis
de attacliiamentis de Caluerton' et Mamesfeld' de eodem anno .
XXV s. V d.
' There are about 738 entries similar to on the roll. Of the remaining entries
this; and 43 and 34 similar to the two there are generally only two or three of
following entries respectively. After each each kind.
entry the names of two pledges are written - Eoll 15.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1334
68
Of Eichard the son of Richard of Ireland of Mansfield for one oak
of the price of twelvepence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of Reynold the son of Geoffrey of Thoresby for one stub of the
price of eightpence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of Nicholas Bateman of Boteby for one sapling, of the price of
sixpence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of Ralph the miller of Sutton for three hundred laths, of the price
of twelvepence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of John on the moor of Warsop for a cartload of timber, of the
price of sixpence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of Walter le Norreys of Blidworth for cutting the trunk of an oak,
of the price of sixpence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of Hugh atte Bridge of the same town for stocks of the price of
eightpence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of Richard the son of Geoffrey the son of Ives of the same town
for chevrons of the price of tenpence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of Nicholas Payne of Warsop for one branch, of the price of
sixpence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of John the son of William of Thoure for a green oak, of the price
of eighteen pence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of Gilbert Fadir and Gilbert Gilling for honey carried away from
the wood, of the price of sixpence, wherewith the verderers, etc.
Of Thomas Sheth of Mansfield for a house sold.
Of the price of vert ; and the amercements of the verderers,
because they did not produce the rolls of their time.
Of the verderers in the fifteenth year of the reign of King Edward,
the grandfather of the lord king who now is, for the price of the vert
of the attachments of Mansfield for the same year, six shillings and
live pence.
Of the same verderers because they did not produce the rolls of
the attachments of Linby, Bulwell, Calverton and Edwinstowe for the
same year ; in mercy ten shiUings.
Of the verderers of the sixteenth year of the same king for the
price of the vert of the attachments of Calverton and Mansfield for
the same year, twenty-five shillings and fivepence.
69 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
De eisdem viridariis quia non habuerunt rotulos de attachiamentis
de Lindeby, Bulewell' et Eden' de eodem anno ; in misericordia
XX s.
De viridariis de anno eiusdem regis septimo deeimo de precio
viridis de attachiamentis de eodem anno . . Ixxiij s. vij d.
De viridariis de anno eiusdem regis deeimo octauo de precio viridis
de attachiamentis de Bulwell', Caluerton', Mam' et Eden' de eodem
anno Ixxij s. ix d.
De eisdem viridariis quia non habuerunt rotulos de attachiamentis
de Lindeby de eodem anno ; in misericordia . . .vs.
X. (a).i
[INQUISICIONES DE UENACIONE IN FOEESTA DE
ESSEX'.] 2
Die Dominica proxima post festum sancte Osithe ^ anno regni regis
Henrici vicesimo secundo ibat Simon fihus Norman' per baUiam
suam de Kingeswod' et vidit ibidem bene sexdecim homines pedites et
duo equites cum arcubus et sagittis ; et statim ut illos vidisset leuauit
super illos clamorem ; et statim postea venerunt duo equites et ipsum
assultauerunt et verberauerunt, et ei plagas inposuerunt ; et postea
venerunt predicti sexdecim homines pedites et abstulerunt ab eo cornu
suum et gladium frenum supercengulam ^ suam. Et cum predictus
Simon esset euasus a manibus eorum ibat querere viridarios ; et
statim venerunt cum hominibus visneti et querebant illos predictos
hommes in predicta foresta et illos inuenire non potuerunt. Et
postea [conuenerjunt foristarii et viridarii ad melius certificandum
iusticiarios foreste in aduentu suo ; et fecerunt inquisicionem per
quatuor villatas, scilicet, Diham, Boxsted', Ardleg', Laingeham,'^ que
dicunt quod ad presens nichil sciunt, set ma[gnam] diligenciam
apponent istud inquirendi.
' From the Add. Roll 28404 at the ^ The MS. has no descriptive heading.
British Museum. The importance of these ^ 6 June 1238.
inquisitions lies in the fact that thej' are ^ The word in the MS. is written ' siq^er-
the earhest of the reign of Henry iii. which cenlg!<lam,' the letters in italics being
are to be found in any publiclibrary. It is represented there by marks of contraction,
possible that others may exist in private ' This word might also be read as
collections. Ladingeham or Ledingeham.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE EYRE, A.D. 1334 69
Of the same verderers because they did not produce the rolls of
the attachments of Lmby, Bulwell and Edwinstowe for the same
year ; in mercy twenty shilhngs.
Of the verderers of the seventeenth year of the same king for the
price of the vert of the attachments for the same year, seventy-three
shilhngs and sevenpence.
Of the verderers of the eighteenth year of the same king for the
price of the vert of the attachments of Bulwell, Calverton, Mansfield
and Edwinstowe for the same year, seventy-two shillings and nine-
pence.
Of the same verderers, because they did not produce the rolls of
the attachments of Linby for the same year ; in mercy five shillings.
X. (a).
INQUISITIONS CONCEENING THE VENISON IN THE
FOREST OF ESSEX.
On the Sunday next after the feast of St. Osithe ^ in the twenty-
second year of the reign of king Henry Simon the son of Norman
was going through his bailiwick of Kingswood, and he saw there full
sixteen men on foot and two on horseback with bows and arrows ;
and as soon as ever he saw them he raised the cry upon them. And
immediately afterwards the two men on horseback came, and assaulted
him and beat him, and wounded him. And afterwards the aforesaid
sixteen men on foot came and took away from him his horn and his
sword, his bit and his surcingle. And when the aforesaid Simon had
escaped from their hands he went to seek the verderers ; and im-
mediately they came with men of the neighbourhood and sought
those aforesaid men in the aforesaid forest, and they could not find
them. And afterwards the foresters and verderers assembled for the
purpose of better certifying the justices of the forest on their coming.
And they made an inquisition by four townships, to wit, Dedham,
Boxsted, Ardleigh, and Langham, who say that at present they know
nothing ; but they will use great diligence in inquiring into this.
70 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Die ^ sancti Thome martiris anno regni regis Henrici vicesimo
quarto ^ equitabant per forestam de [Hyneholt] Gilebertus Dun fores-
tarius et Eobertus [eius] seruiens ; et viderunt octo h[omines cum
ar]cubus et sagittis et cum leporariis in eadem foresta ; et ipse Gile-
bertus mandauit . . . ^ ; et ipsi simul ** venerunt in crastino in pre-
dicta foresta et viderunt h[omines] pred[ictos ; et] leuauerunt [super
illos] clamorem et secuti sunt eos ; et ipsi fugauerunt ; et nesciebant
vbi deuenerunt. Homines uero [hospi]tati ^ erant ad domum Ricardi
filii Petri Lond' apud Wodeford'. Et ad melius certilicandum
iusticiarios foreste in aduentu suo conuenerunt foristarii et viridarii
et [fecerunt] inquisicionem per quatuor villatas proximas, scilicet,
Berking', Stapelford' Abbatis, Lamburn, Wensted' . . . que dicunt
quod nichil sciunt.
Catalla inuenta ad domum predictam quadraginta ones, octo
quarteria auene, precium ouium una marca, precium auene dimidia
marca. Et committitur precium Alexandro de ponte, Thome de
ponte de Wodeford', Salomoni filio Radulfi de Berking', Ernulpho
de Tj'hej'e de eadem, Briano filio Osberti de Chigewell', Eogero de
Hache de eadem.
Plegii Simonis filii Conis de Chigewell', qui primo mane inuenit
homines predictos.Nicholaus filius Osberti et Eudo piscator de eadem.
^ Goscelinus de ponte de Wodeford ponatur per vadium et saluos
plegios quod sit ad proximum hundredum foreste, quia non fuit apud
La Claya ad inquisicionem vnde habetur suspectus.
Perdonatur per fratrem Nicholaum de W^odeford'.
lohannes filius Ptogeri, wodeward de Chigewell', dicit quod cum
ibat in bosco de Hyneholt' die ^ sancti Thome martiris anno regni regis
Henrici vicesimo quarto vidit septem homines quinque cum arcubus
et sagittis et duos cum quatuor leporariis [quorum tres habuerunt
viseria] et istud ostendit Eogero patri suo ; et idem Rogerus peciit ab
eo si agno[uisset] eos. Ipse respondit quod lohannes le Blund de
Edelmeton' erat vnus ex eis. Et dixit quod agnouit eum quod anno
preterito vidit eum sepe venientem ad videndum porcos suos quos
habuit in bosco predicto in pannagio.^
Eogerus predictus dicit quod, si deus eum adiuuet, malecredit
lohannem predictum de foresta domini regis.
' 29 December 1239. * MS. ' semuL'
' The right hand side of the roll is very ^ This word might also be ' receptati.'
much damaged. All words in square •> This paragraph has been cancelled in
brackets are supplied by conjecture, there the MS.
being no trace of them left in the MS. ' The word ' iJessone ' seems to have
^ The missing words are probably ' prop- been written before 'pannagio' and crossed
ter homines suos.' out.
ESSEX, A.D. 1239 70
On the day ' of St. Thomas the Martyr in the twenty-fourth year
of the reign of king Henry Gilbert Dim the forester and Robert his
servant were riding through the forest of Hainhault ; and they saw
eight men with bows and arrows and greyhounds in the same forest.
And the same Gilbert sent word (for others to come) ; and they went
together on the morrow into the aforesaid forest and saw the afore-
said men ; and they raised the cry upon them, and followed them and
put them to flight ; and they did not know what became of them.
But the men were harboured at the house of Richard the son of Peter
of London at Woodford. And for the purpose of better certifying the
justices of the forest on their comnig, the foresters and verderers
assembled and made an inquisition by four neighbouring townships,
to wit, Barking, Stapleford Abbots, Lambourne and Wanstead, . . .
which say that they know nothing.
The chattels found at the house aforesaid were forty sheep and
eight quarters of oats, the price of the sheep being one mark, and the
price of the oats half a mark. And the price is entrusted to Alex-
ander atte Bridge, Thomas atte Bridge of Woodford, Solomon the son
of Ralph of Barking, Ernulph of Tyheye of the same town, Brian the
son of Osl)ert of Chigwell and Roger of Hach of the same town.
Pledges of Simon the son of Conis of Chigweh, who in the early
morning found the aforesaid men, Nicholas the son of Osbert and
Eudes the fisher of the same town.
Let Goscelin atte Bridge of Woodford be put by gage and safe
pledges to be at the next forest hundred because he was not at La
Cleye at the inquisition ; wherefore he is suspected.
He is pardoned at the request of Brother Nicholas of Woodford.
John the son of Roger the woodward of Chigwell says that when
he was on his way in the wood of Hainhault on the day of St. Thomas
the Martyr in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of king Henry, he
saw seven men, five with bows and arrows and two with four grey-
hounds, of whom three had masks, and he showed this to Roger his
father ; and the same Roger asked him if he recognised the men. He
replied that John le Blund of Edmonton was one of them. And he
said he recognised him because in the past year he often saw him
coming to see his pigs which he had in the wood aforesaid for pannage.
The aforesaid Roger says that, so help him God, he suspects the
aforesaid John with regard to the forest of the lord king.
71 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
lohannes wodeward de Lamburn' dicit quod malecredit personam
de Stapelford quia sepe vidit eum euntem cum leporariis in foresta
domini regis.
Simon filius Conis de Chigeweir dicit quod cum in aurora diei sancti
Thome martiris venisset ad domum domini sui, scilicet, Eicardi iilii
Petri in Wodeford' pro vna quarteria auene et tribus pellibus ouium
ad asportandum ad Lond' et uenisset ad hostium predicte domus
exierunt duo homines cum arcubus et sagittis, et ipsum ceperunt et
affidare fecerunt quod nichil de eis aHcui ostenderet ; et quod incon-
tinenti iret iter suum, quod ^ primo habuit primo inpropositum
iturum, et bene sequebantur eum vnam quarentenam dicentes ei quod
si reuertisset durissime punirent.^
X. (b).^
^ Apud Hadfeld Eegis. Attaehiamenta venacionis post vltima plaeita.
Contigit die"' Dominica in octabis sancti Hillarii anno regni regis
Henrici filii regis lohannis vicesimo quinto quod Clemens Godcop
gradiens uersus monasterium de Hadfeld' Begis vidit vnum damum
iacentem mortuum in campo Agnetis de Bosco qui vocatur Estfeld' ;
et statim nunciauit Galfrido de Barenton' foristario qui mandauit fori-
stariis et viridariis ad inquisicionem faciendam per quatuor villatas,'^
scilicet, Hadfeld' Begis, Hallingebir' I. de Burgo, Hallingebir' de
Neuiir et Kaneueles Comitisse.
Villata de Had feud dicit quod nichil scit nee audiuit per quod
damns ille debuit mori nisi per morinam, quia fuit absque plaga
sicut eis videbatur et fere detractus cum ^ porcis.
Villata de Kaneueles idem dicit.
Villata de Hallingebir' de Burgo idem dicit.
Villata de Hallingebir' de Neuill' idem dicit.
Decena Eicardi Child' et Eogeri Haldheued manuceperunt villatam
' The correct transcription of this rela- placed on the outside, so as to appear when
tive clause is very doubtful. The word it is rolled up.
' primo' following ' qund ' might be read as ^ 20 January 124j.
' primum ' ; the word ' primo ' following * Now called Hatfield Broadoak, Great
' habuit ' is interlineated and might be read Hallingbury, Little Hallingbury, and Great
in several ways ; and the word 'iturum' is Canfield respectively. The manor of Great
also interlineated, but it is clearly written. Canfield was the property of Hugh de Vere,
'^ MS. ' puniret.' Earl of Oxford, who died in 12(38. At the
^ From the Add. EoU 28405 at the date of the above inquisition it was proba-
British Museum. bly held by his mother, Isabel the widow
* The first three words are at the head of Eobert de Vere, in dower,
of tlie document, but the last tive are ' See note 4, p. G2 above.
ESSEX, A.D. 1239 /1
John, the woodward of Lambourne, says that he suspects the
parson of Stapleford because he often saw him gomg with grey-
hounds in the forest of the lord king.
Simon the son of Conis of Chigwell says that when he came at
the dawn of St. Thomas the Martyr to the house of his lord Eichard
the son of Peter in Woodford for a quarter of oats and three sheep-
skins to take away to London, and had reached the door of the
aforesaid house, two men came out with bows and arrows and seized
him and made him pledge faith that he would show nothing of them
to anybody, and that he would forthwith go the way that he first
proposed to go ; and they followed him a full furlong saying to him
that if he returned they would punish him severely.
X. (b).
At Hatfield Regis. Attachments of the venison since the last
pleas . . .
It happened on Sunday ' the octave of St. Hilary in the twenty-
fifth year of the reign of king Henry the son of king John that Clement
Godcup on his way to the monastery of Hatfield Kegis saw a buck
lying dead in the field of Agnes de Bois, which is called Eastfield ;
and forthwith he announced the fact to Geoffrey de Barentin, the
forester, who sent word to the foresters and verderers to make inquisi-
tion by four townships, to wit, Hatfield Regis, Hahingbury John of
Burgh, Hallingbury Neville, and Canfield Countess.
The township of Hatfield says that it knows nothing nor has
heard how that buck can have died, except of murrain ; for it was
without any sore, as they thought, and almost dragged to pieces by
the pigs.
The township of Canfield saj^s the same.
The township of Hallingbury Burgh says the same.
The township of Hallingbury Neville says the same.
The tithing of Eichard Child and Eoger Haldhead were main-
72 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
de Hadfeld' adessendi coram iusticiariis foreste ad prima placita ad eos
certificandos super iam dicta fera mortua inuenta.
Decena Willelmi de Beuchaump et lordani filii Mauricii manuce-
perunt villatam de Kaneueles pro eodem.
Decena Eoberti de Lucy et Kogeri de Lucy manuceperunt villatam
de Hallingebir' de Burgo pro eodem.
Decena Reginaldi de Kastenho et Rogeri de Bosco manuceperunt
villatam de Hallingebir' de Neuill' pro eodem.
Quatuor vicini proximi, Ricardus Child', Reginaldus le Waunt',
Philippus Mose et Clemens Hut.
Plegii Ricardi Child' adessendi coram iusticiariis ad prima placita
foreste, Michaelis filius Radulfi et Petrus filius Willelmi.
Plegii Reginaldi le Waunt' pro eodem Galfridus filius Michaelis et
Willelmus de Haselingefeld'.
Plegii Philippi Mose pro eodem Willelmus le Leuetaing et Walterus
le Neweman.
Plegii dementis Hut pro eodem Reginaldus Strangowe et Rogerus
filius Wydonis.
Plegii Clementis Godcop inuentoris adessendi coram iusticiariis
foreste Willelmus le Boteiler et Stephanus filius Ernulphi.
Plegii Agnetis de Bosco in cuius campo dictus damus inuentus
fuit mortuus adessendi coram iusticiariis foreste Ricardus Dukehar'
et lohannes Arnwy.
Capud et cornu comittuntur Ricardo Child' usque ad prima placita
foreste.
Accidit apud W^odeham Ferr' die ' sancte Marie Magdalene anno
regni regis Henrici vicesimo quinto quod cum parcarius domini W. de
Ferr' iuit in parco de Wodeham vidit ibi homines cum arcubus et
sagittis. Et ipse fugit ab eis et mandauit bailliuum hundredi ; et ipse
villatas proximas, que - venerunt et circuerunt parcum predictum ; et
plures intrauerunt. Et venerunt sexdecim homines de parco predicto
cum arcubus et sagittis, sicut predictum est, et tulerunt venacionem
quatuor bestiarum et transierunt de illo parco usque in parcum
episcopi Elyens' in Retindon'. Et ipsi leuauernnt super [eos] huthe-
sium et ad clamorem ilium venerunt forestarii de eadem baillia et
inuenerunt Reginaldum filium Baddewin' de Barling' cum quodam
' 22 July 1241. -' MS. -qui.'
ESSEX, A.D. li>4? 72
periiers of the township of Hatfield being before the justices of the
forest at the next pleas to certify them upon the aforesaid deer which
was found dead.
The tithing of William de Beauchamp and Jordan the son of
Maurice were mainperners of the township of Canfield for the same.
The tithing of Robert de Luci and Roger de Luci were main-
perners of the township of Hallingbury Burgh for the same.
The tithing of Reynold of Kastenho and Roger de Bois were
mainperners of Hallingbury Neville for the same.
The four nearest neighbours were Richard Child, Reynold le
Wannter, Philip Mose, and Clement Hut.
The pledges of Richard Child being before the justices at the first
pleas of the forest— Michael the son of Ralph and Peter the son of
William.
The pledges of Reynold le Waunter for the same— Geofirey the
son of Michael and William of Haslingfield.
The pledges of Philip Mose for the same — William le Levetaing
and Walter le Neweman.
The pledges of Clement Hut for the same — Reynold Strangowe
and Roger the son of Guy.
The pledges of Clement Godcup, the finder of the buck, being
before the justices of the forest— William le Boteiler and Stephen the
son of Ernulph.
The pledges of Agnes de Bois, in whose field the said buck was
found dead, being before the justices of the forest — Richard Duke-
hare and John Arnwy.
The head and the antlers are entrusted to Richard Child until the
next pleas of the forest.
It happened at Woodham Ferrers on the day '^ of St. Mary Magda-
lene in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of king Henry that when the
parker of Sir William de Ferrieres went into the park of Woodham he
saw there men with bows and arrows. And he fled from them, and
sent word to the bailiff of the hundred, and the bailift' did the same
to the neighbouring townships, who came and surrounded the park
aforesaid, and several men entered it. And sixteen men came out of
the park aforesaid with bows and arrows as is aforesaid, and they
carried the venison of four beasts ; and they crossed from that park
into the park of the bishop of Ely at Rettenden. And they raised the hue
upon them ; and at the cry the foresters of the same bailiwick came ;
and they found Reynold the son of Baldwin of Barling with a certain
73 SELECT FOREST IXQUISITIUNS
cane nigro ad domum Galfridi loie ; et interrogaueruiit eum quis esset.
Dixit quod fuit cum Simone Perdriz. Et qui sunt illi qui sunt in parco
de Wodeham ? Dixit quod Simon Perdriz dominus mens, lacobus de
Estwode, Petrus, persona de Essendon' et Thomas frater eius, Eobertus
Strech de hospicio comitis Kane', Bateman Prelle de Colecestr', Wil-
lelmus de Bouill', miles, Robertus de Strecford' Galfridus de Amblye,
Willelmus frater eius, Thomas Puintel. Et predictus Reginaldus, pro
confessione sua et magna suspeccione transgressionis foreste, captus
fuit et missus ad prisonam Colec' ; et postea per breue domini lohannis '
fihi Galfridi, tunc iusticiarii foreste, fuit deliberatus per ballium Rogero
de Hjda de Raleg', Willelmo le Blund' de Burgested', lohanni Rufferi
de Ginges, lohanni le Brun de Haningefeud, lohanni Malegreffe de
Hormudon, lohanni Crikes de Wodeham, Stephano de AYikford',
lohanni de Curingeham, Eicardo le Yepe de Ragere, Waltero de
Sussex' de Dunton', Ade de Leyndon', Galfrido de Langedon'.
Et Simon Perdriz nee alii non habent terras neque catalla infra
metas foreste Essex' per quod possent attachiari.
Die ^ Sabbati proxima ante Natiuitatem beate Yirginis anno regni
regis Henrici vicesimo sexto venit AYillelmus Waybard in Horsfrith"
et vidit ibidem Hawe le Escot et tres alios cum eo cum arcubus et
sagittis quos non agnouit et decessit ab eis et ibat ad Rogerum de
Weulaueston' forestarium, et monstrauit ei qualiter inuenit eos. Et
ipse assumptis secum hominibus suis, quesiuit predictum boscum et
nichil potuit inuenire. Et ad hoc conuenerunt forestarii et viridarii,
et fecerunt inde inquisicionem per quatuor villatas proximas, scilicet,
Fingrie, Ginges '^ Abbatisse, Ginges ■* Regine, Writel'.
Fingrie venit et dicit quod nichil scit de malefactoribus foreste
nee eorum receptoribus.
Ginges Abbatisse idem dicit.
Ginges Regine idem dicit.
Writel venit et dicit quod audiuit de Willelmo Wayberd' quod ipse
die ■' Yeneris proxima post Natiuitatem beate Yirginis anno eodem vidit
duos canes currentes ad vnam damam tesatam ad mortem ; vnum
' The appointment of John the son of Patent Roll 49, m. 7.
Geoffrey as justice of the forest south of - 6 September 1242.
Trent is not recorded upon the Patent or ' Now called Ingatestone. It formerly be-
Fine Piolls. He was succeeded in the office longed to the Abbess of St. Mary at Barking,
by Reynold de Moyon, who was appointed * Now called Margaretting.
by letters patent dated 1 April 1:^42. See ^ 12 September 1242.
ESSEX, A.D, llMl 73
})laelv (log at the house of Geoffrey Joie, and they asked hmi who he
was. He said, * that he was with Simon Partridge.' 'And who are
they who are in the park of Woodham ? ' He said, ' Simon Partridge,
my master, James of Eastwood, Peter the parson of Ashingdon and
Thomas his hrother, Robert Strech of the household of the earl of
Kent, Bateman Prelle of Colchester, William de Boville, knight, Robert
of Stratford, Geoffrey de Amblye, William his brother, Thomas
Puintel.' And the aforesaid Reynold on account of his confession and
grave suspicion of trespass against the forest was taken and sent to
the prison at Colchester ; and afterwards he was delivered by the writ
of Sir John the son of Geoffrey, then justice of the forest, on bail
to Richard de Hyde of Rayleigh, William le Blund of Burstead, John
Ruffers of Ing, John le Brun of Hanningfield, John Malegraffe of
Horndon, John Crikes of Woodham, Stephen of Wickford, John of
Corringham, Richard le Yepe of Ragere, Walter of Sussex of Dunton,
Adam of Laindon, and Geoffrey of Langdon.
And Simon Partridge and the others have neither lands nor
chattels within the metes of the forest of Essex, by which they can be
attached.
On the Saturday "' next before the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in
the twenty- sixth year of the reign of king Henry William Way herd
came into Horsfrith, and saw there Hawe le Scot and three others
with him with l)ows and arrows ; and he did not recognise them ;
and he left them and went to Roger of Wollaston the forester, and
showed him how he found them. And he, taking his men with him,
searched the aforesaid wood, and could find nothing. And upon
this the foresters and verderers assembled, and made an inquisition
thereof by four neighbouring townships, to wit : Fingrith, Abbess'
Ing, Queen's Ing, and Writtle.
Fingrith comes and says that it knows nothing of malefactors to
the forest nor of persons harbouring them.
Abbess' Ing says the same.
Queen's Ing says the same.
Writtle comes and says that it heard from William Wayberd that
on the Friday ^ next after the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in the
same year he saw two dogs running after a buck, wliich thev worried
L 2
74 SELECT FOEEST INQUISITIONS
nigrum vnnm verrum ; et hoc ostendit Rogero de Welaueston' fores-
tario.
Die ^ Veneris proxima ante festum sancte Margarete anno regni
regis Henrici filii regis lohannis vieesimo sexto summo mane ibat
Rogeriis de Weulaueston' per medium foreste de Writel' ; uidit ibidem
vnum paruum mastinum nigrum currentem ad vnum brokettum, et
ipse secutus est eum et deposuit eum ab illo broketto.
Preterea idem Eogerus transiens per predictam forestam eodem
die uersus domum G. de Segraue,- iusticiarii foreste, vidit ibidem
quandam damam vulneratam in quissa, ut ei videbatur, quia clossauit ;
et postea audiuit quoddam cornu quod agnouit, ut . . . cornu Rogeri
le Escot hominis domine Isabelle de Brus ; et superueniens Willelmus
Quintin et audiuit cornu, . . . ibidem effusionem sanguinis. Rogerus
le Gilur homo dieti Rogeri fuit ibidem.
[INQriSITIONES DE UENACIONE IN FORESTA DE HUNT'.]
' Anno regni regis Henrici tricesimo secundo die ^ Cynerum
inquisicio facta fuit de uno fehune, in bosco de Brampton' inuento,
uuhierato vna sagitta, per quatuor villatas, scilicet, Bramptonam,
Elinton', Graffham, Dillinton' ; que omnes dixerunt quod nichil
sciuerunt inde.
^ Anno eodem die ^ louis proxima post [festum] sanctorum Tyburcii
et Yalleriani inquisicio facta fuit sub Wauberge de quadam bestia
capta in prato vnde extima^ inuenta fuit, et per quatuor villatas
scilicet Alcunbiry, Wolle, Elinton' et Brampton', que omnes dicunt
quod nichil sciunt.
' 18 July 1242. pp. 11-26.
" Gilbert of Seagrave was appointed jus- ^ See p. 21.
tice of the forest south of Trent by letters ^ Wednesday, 4 March 124|.
patent dated 6 May 1242. (See Patent Roll ^ See p. 23 above.
49, m. 2.) ' 16 April 1248.
^ Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Re- * The reading of this word is doubtful.
ceipt. No. 39 (a). This is part of a roll of In p. 29 the corresponding word in the
inquisitions, upon which the eyre rolls were record of this case in the eyre is ' intestina,'
based. To each entry on this roll there is so that there can be no doubt as to its
a corresponding entry on the eyre rolls. meaning,
extracts from which are printed on
ESSEX, A.D. 1242 74
to death, one being black, the other brindled, and he pointed this out
to Eoger of Wollaston the forester.
On the Friday ' next before the feast of St. Margaret in the
twenty-sixth year of the reign of king Henry the son of king John,
Roger of Wohaston was going in the early morning through the
middle of the forest of Writtle. He saw there a small black mastiff
running after a brocket ; and he followed it, and removed it from the
brocket.
Furthermore the same Roger passing through the aforesaid forest
on the same day towards the house of Gilbert of Seagrave, the
justice of the forest, saw there a certain doe wounded in the thigh, as
it seemed to him, because it limped ; and afterwards he heard a certain
horn, which he recognised ... as the horn of Roger le Scot, the
man of the lady Isabel de Brus, and William Quinton coming up also
heard the horn ; (and they saw) a flowing of blood there. Roger le
Gilur, the man of the said Roger, was there.
XI.
[INQUISITIONS CONCERNING THE VENISON IN THE
FOREST OF HUNTINGDON.]
In the thirty-second year of the reign of king Henry on Ash
Wednesday,^ an inquisition concerning a fawn, which was found dead
and wounded with an arrow in the wood of Brampton, was made by
four townships, to wit Brampton, Ellington, Graf ham and Dillington,
which all say that they knew nothing thereof.
In the same year on the Thursday ^ next after the feast of Saints
Tyburcius and Valerian an inquisition concerning a certain beast,
which was taken in the meadow, and of which the entrails were found,
was made at Weybridge by four townships, to wit, Alconbury, Woolley,
Ellington and Brampton, which all say that they know nothing
thereof.
ID SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
' Coiitigit eodem anno die- Lune proxima ante festum sancti
lohannis Baptiste, quod quidam Galfridus filius Stephani Swyft de
Sibetborp inuentus fnit in Wauberge cum arcu et quinque sagittis ; et
cognouit quod occidit duos flioones, et dixit quod Rogerus filius
Philippi de Alcunbir' illos habuit. Et forestarii iuerunt ad domum
predicti Philippi et inuenerunt illos fhoones. Predicti uero Galfridus
et Eogerus ducti fuerunt ad gayolam de Huntedon'. Et quia ga3^ola
fracta fuit, ducti fuerunt apud Herford'. Et predictus Philippus
traditus fuit per ballium villate de Alcunbiry.
^ Contigit die ■* Dominica proxima post festum sancti lohannis
Baptiste summo mane in aurora anno regis tricesimo tercio quod
cum forestarii de Wauberge et SappeP vigiliam fecissent de sub
Wauberge se obuiauerunt duobus leporariis qui sequti fuerunt vnam
bestiam. Et j)ostea venerunt in campo et inuenerunt Stephanum
Fot et quemdam Galfridam filium Oseberti messores. Et forestarii
cepermit duos leporarios et predictos S. et G. et duxerunt apud
Alcunbiry vsque aduentum viridariorum. Et interim predictus
Galfridus euasit a custodia forestariorum. Et predictus Stephanus
ductus fuit apud Herford' ad prisonam. Catalla predicti Stephani : —
vna vacca, vnum auerium, vnus bouettus. Precium catallorum octo
solidi. Predictus G, nullum cattallum habuit. Super hoc inquisicio
facta fuit die' Martis proxima ante festum sancti Thome martiris
per Alcunbiry, Brampt', WoUe, Bukiswrth'. Omnes concordant et
dicunt quod nullum habuit suspectum de predictis, nee sciunt vnde
leporarii venerunt.
'' Contigit die " Palmarum anno eodem ad vesperas quod cum
forestarii de Sappel' vigiliam fecissent sub Sappel' obuiauerunt octo
malefactoribus cum leporariis ; quos cum forestarii comprehendissent
in fugam conuersi sunt. Set vnum ceperunt, cui nomen Eadulfus
de Fenton', qui missus fuit apud Hunted' ad incarcerandum ; et tunc
fait vicecomes Philippus de Staunton'. Super hoc inquisicio facta
fuit sub Sappel' die*^ Martis proxima post clausum Pasche coram
Willelmo^ de Norhampton', tunc balliuo foreste, scilicet per quatuor
villatas, scilicet, Magnam Stiuecl', Eiptonam Abbatis, Riptonam
Regis, Herford'.
Magna Stiuecl' dicit quod Radulfus de Fenton', Osebertus
Marescallus, Geruasius Cocus, homines Geremie '° de Kaxton', venerunt
' See p. 23 above. ' Sunday, 2« March 1249.
= 22 June 1248. « 13 April 1249.
3 See p. 24 above. ^ See p. 31, note 6.
' 27 June 1249. " 6 July 1249. ■<• Jeremiah of Caxlon was one of the
** See p. 17 above. king's justicea.
HUNTIXGDOX, A.D. 1218 75
It happened in the same year on the Monday ^ next before the
feast of St. John the Baptist, that a certain Geoffrey the son of
Stephen Swift of Sibthorpe was found in Weybridge with a bow and
five arrows ; and he acknowledged that he had killed two fawns, and
said that Roger the son of Philip of Alconbury had them. And the
foresters went to the house of the aforesaid Philip and found those
fawns. And the aforesaid Geoffrey and Roger were taken to the
gaol of Huntingdon. And because the gaol was broken they were
taken to Hartford. And the aforesaid Philip was delivered on bail to
the township of Alconbury.
It happened on the Sunday '' next after the feast of St. John the
Baptist in the thirty-third year at daybreak, that when the foresters of
Weybridge and Sapley made watch at Weybridge they came upon two
greyhounds, which followed a beast. And afterwards they went into
the open field, and found Stephen Foot and a certain Geoffrey the
son of Osbert, reapers. And the foresters took the two greyhounds
and the aforesaid Stephen and Geoffrey and brought them to
Alconbury to await the coming of the verderers. And in the mean-
time the aforesaid Geoffrey escaped from the custody of the foresters.
And the aforesaid Stephen was brought to the prison at Hartford.
The chattels of the aforesaid Stephen were a cow, an ox, and a bullock.
The price of the chattels was eight shilHngs. The aforesaid Geoffrey
had no chattels. Upon this an inquisition was made on the Tuesday '
next before the feast [of the Translation] of St. Thomas the Martyr
by Alconbury, Brampton, Woolley, Buckworth. All are agreed, and
say that they suspect no one of the aforesaid matter ; nor do they
know whence the greyhounds came.
It happened on Palm Sunday ^ in the same year at vespers that
when the foresters of Sapley were watching at Sapley, they met eight
malefactors with greyhounds. And when the foresters saw them,
they turned and fled. But they took one of them, Ralph of Fenton by
name, who was sent to Huntingdon to be imprisoned ; and Philip of
Stanton was then sheriff. Upon this an inquisition was made at
Sapley on the Tuesday^ next after the close of Easter before William
of Northampton, then bailiff' of the forest, that is to say, by four
townships, to wit. Great Stukeley, Abbots Ripton, King's Ripton, and
Hartford.
Great Stukeley says that Ralph of Fenton, Osbert the marshall,
and Gervais the cook, men of Jeremiah of Caxton, came on Palin
7G SELFX'T FOEEST INQUISITIONS
die Dominica Pa]marnm ad resperas cum leporariis sub Sappell ad
malefaciendum de venacione domini regis, et neminem habent
suspectum preter hos tres malefactores ; et hos nisi per indiccionem
predicti Eadulfi de Fenton'.
Alio villate dicunt idem.
' Inquisicio facta in campo de lakeF die ^ Animarum anno regni
regis Henrici filii lohannis regis tricesimo quinto de capcione cuius-
dam dami per forestarios et viridarios et quatuor villatas scilicet
lakel', rollies\Yrth', Stilton', et Morburn' et Caudecot'.
lakel', iurata, dixit quod dominus H. de Engayne fugauit cum
canibus suis ad vulpem in campo comitis Cornub' apud Hold ^ die *
Lune proxima ante festum sancte Fidis anno tricesimo quarto ; et die
Martis proxima sequenti venit quidam damns quasi pecus perterita
de Holm transiens campum de Stilton' versus campum de lakel'.
Et tres homines equites sequti fuerunt dictum damum. Et venit
quidam Michael de Depinham, garcio lohannis de Depinham seruientis
de Wodeston', et percussit dictum damum cum quadam hachia ad
Pyc sicut voluit transisse quandam foueam et eum occidit. Et
venerunt dicti tres homines, qui sequti fuerunt, abstulerunt ei damum
et redierunt versus Holm, set nescit qui illi fuerunt nee vnde venerunt.
Folkeswrth', iurata, dicit idem quod lakel'.
Stilton' dicit idem quod dixit coram G."' de Langel', iusticiario
foreste, apud Hunted'.
Caldecot' et Morbur,' iurate, dicunt quod nichil inde sciunt.
Michael de Depinh' qui occidit damum captus fuit et commissus
Wihelmo de Elinton', balliuo abbatis de Thorn' de hundredo de
Kormancros, ad ponendum in prisonam.
lohannes de Depeham inuenit plegios de respondendo coram
iu^ticiariis quare recepit dictum Michaelem postquam occidit damum,
Bcilicet, Philippum de Orreby in Sautr', Hugonem le Despens' de
eadem, Galfridum de Beumes, lohannem filium lohannis de Lytlebiry
de Ouerton', Simonem Clifard de Stilton', lohannem filium Paulini
de Sautre.
Quidam Ricardus de Stilton' cognouit quod stetit super quoddam
tassum turbein Stilton' etvidit duos homines equites et duos homines
pedites capere dictum damum cum duobus canibus albis. Et quia
non leuauit vthesium attachiatus fuit ; et inuenit plegios respondendi
' See pp. 11, 12 above. ^ In this case there seems to have been
- Wednesday, 2 November 1250. some preliminary inquisition before Geoffrey
^ Hold is probably a clerical error for of Langley, who was warden of the forest
Holm. at this time. See p. 37. note 2.
' 3 October 1250.
HUNTINGDON, A.D. 1L>48 70
Sunday in the evening with greyhounds to Sapley to do evil to the
venison of the lord king ; and that they suspect no one except those
three malefactors ; and this only on the information of the aforesaid
Ralph of Fenton.
The other townships say the same.
An inquisition concerning the taking of a certain buck was made
in the open field of Yaxley on All Souls' day ' in the thirty-fifth year
of the reign of king Henry the son of king John by the foresters and
verderers and four townships, to wit Yaxley, Folksworth, Stilton and
Morborne and Caldecot.
Yaxley is sworn and says that Sir Henry de Engayne was fox-
hunting with his own dogs in the open field of the Earl of Cornwall
at Hold on the Monday ^ next before the feast of St. Faith in the
thirty-fourth year ; and on the Tuesday next following a certain buck,
as a beast frightened out of Holm, came across the open field of
Stilton, towards the open field of Yaxley. And three men on horse-
back followed the said buck. And a certain Michael of Debenham,
the page of John of Debenham the sergeant of Woodstone, came and
struck the said buck with a certain pickaxe, as it was about to cross
a certain ditch, and killed it. And the said three men, who followed,
came and took the buck from him and returned towards Holm ; but
the township did not know who they were, nor whence they came.
Folksworth is sworn, and says the same as Yaxley.
Stilton says the same as it said before Geofirey of Langley, the
justice of the forest, at Huntingdon.
Caldecot and Morborne are sworn, and say that they know nothing
thereof.
Michael of Debenham who killed the buck was taken and sent to
William of Ellington, the abbot of Thorney's bailiff of the hundred
of Normancross, to be put in prison.
John of Debenham found pledges of answering before the justices,
as to why he harboured the said Michael after he killed the buck, to
wit, Philip of Orreby in Sawtry, Hugh the spenser of the same town,
Geoffrey de Beumes, John the son of John of Littlebury of Orton,
Simon Chfard of Stilton and John the son of Paul of Sawtry.
A certain Richard of Stilton acknowledged that he stood upon a
certain stack of turf in Stilton and saw two men on horseback and
two on foot take the said buck with two white dogs. And because
he did not raise the hue, he was attached, and found pledges
77 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
coram iusticiariis, scilicet, Oliuerum de Upton', Eogerum filiiim Basilii
de Stilton', Thomam de Stilton', lohannem de Salue in eadem,
lohannem le Franchom de eadem et Eobertum de Stilton'.
Omnes villate, iurate, dicunt quod nullam suspicionem habent de
capcione dami versus Eadulfum personam de Syresham, nee versus
Rogerum personam de Glatton' sicut factum fuit intelligi domino G.'
de Langel', iusticiario foreste ; nee per eos captus fuit nee per aliquem
qui cum eis sit.
- Accidit die ^ Mercurii proxima post festum sancti Petri ad Vincula
anno eodem quod Willelmus Euffus et Galfridus de Pylketon', forestarii
pedites de Wauberge, venerunt contra mediam noctem sub Wauberge
ad insidiandam balliuam suam, ita quod ad N. . . . versus Alcunbiry
obuiauerunt cuidam leporario ruffo thesanti vnam damam. Et ipsi
exclamauerunt dictum leporarium et eum ceperunt. Postea venerunt
duodecim homines sequentes leporarium, quorum vnus tulit vnam
hachiam in manu sua, et alius quemdam longum baculum, et alii
decem arcus et sagittas ; et duxerunt tres leporarios in lesso, quorum
vnus fuit albus, alter tccliellatus albedine et nigredine, et tercius
nescierunt cuius coloris fuit. Et forestarii clamauerunt eos et ipsi
tractauerunt ad forestarios sex sagittas, tres barbatas et tres genderatas.
Et forestarii tractauerunt ad eos, et ipsi intrauerunt boscum. Et
propter spissitudinem bosci et obscuritatem noctis forestarii nescierunt
quo deuenerunt.
Postea die'' Dominica proxima sequenti, conuocatis forestariis,
viridariis et quatuor villatis propinquioribus, scilicet, Alcunbiry
Weston', Magna Stiuecl' et Parua Stiuecl', Elinton' Sibetorp ad
inquirendum qui homines illi fuerunt, et vnde venerunt et quo redie-
runt, et cuius leporarii illi fuerunt, et si aliquis nouit ilium leporarium
ruffum, qui captus fuit. Forestarii uero, iurati, dicunt per sacramen-
tum suum quod cognouerunt vnum ex illis malefactoribus, qui uocatur
Geruasius de Dene in comitatu Bed', quondam cocus leremie"* de
Caxton', et nunc est cum domino lohanne ^ de Crachel' ; et dicunt quod
solitus est malefacere in foresta inrotulatus in rotulo viridariorum ;
de aliis autem nichil sciunt, set dicunt quod quidam eorum fuerunt
armati, set nescierunt quot.
Alcunbir' \Yeston', Magna Stiuecl', Parua Stiuecl', Elinton' Sibe-
torp, iurate, nichil inde sciunt.
' See p. 37, note 2. * According to Mathew Paris, John of
- See pp. 12, 13 above. Crakehall was appointed Treasurer about
^ 2 August 1251. 18 October, 12.38. See Chrouica Maiora ,
* 6 August 12.51. -^ See p. 75. note 10. Rolls Series, vol. v. p. 710.
HUNTINGDON, A.D. \-2i8 ti
of answering before the justices, to wit, Oliver of Ui^ton, Eoger the son
of Basil of Stilton, Thomas of Stilton, John of Sallowe of the same
town, John the Freeman of the same town and Robert of Stilton.
All the townships are sworn and say that they have no suspicion
concerning the taking of the buck against Ralph the parson of Syres-
ham, nor against Roger the parson of Glatton, as Sir Geoffrey of
Langley the justice of the forest was given to understand, nor was
the buck taken by them nor by any person who is with them.
It happened on the Wednesday ^ next after the feast of St. Peter's
Chains in the same year that William le Rus and Geoffrey of Pilton,
walking foresters of Weybridge, were going towards midnight to Wey-
bridge to lie in watch over their bailiwick, so that at N. towards Alcon-
bury they met a certain red greyhound worrying a doe. And they
called the said greyhound and took it. Afterwards twelve men came
following the greyhound, one of whom carried an axe in his hand, and
another a certain long stick, and the others ten bows and arrows,
And they led three greyhounds in a leash, of which one was w^hite.
and another ticked with white and black ; and of what colour the
third was they knew not. And the foresters called the men, who
shot six arrows at the foresters, three barbed and three * genderated.'
And the foresters shot at the men who entered the w^ood. And on
account of the thickness of the wood and the darkness of the night
the foresters knew not what became of them.
Afterwards on the Sunday '' next following the foresters, verderers,
and four neighbouring townships, to wit, Alconbury Weston, Great
Stukeley and Little Stukeley, and Ellington Sibthorp assembled to
inquire who those men were, and whence they came and whither they
returned, and whose those greyhounds were, and if any one knew that
red greyhound, which was taken. And the foresters are sworn and
say upon their oath that they recognised one of those malefactors who
is called Gervais of Dene in the county of Bedford, formerly the cook
of Jeremiah of Caxton, and who is now with Sir John of Crakehall.
And they say that he is wont to do evil in the forest and is enrolled
in the verderers' roll. But of the others they know nothing ; but
they say that some of them were armed, but how many they knew
not.
Alconbury Weston, Great Stukeley, Little Stukeley and Ellington
Sibthorp are sworn and say that they know nothing thereof.
78 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Tres sagitte barbate et tres genderate commisse fuerunt Eicardo le
Porter, viridario, de Weston' tenende coram iusticiariis.
Fostea die ^ Mercurii in crastina Assumpcionis beats Marie contra
horam primam veneriint Ricardus de Rudham ^ et Willelmus le Rus,
Galfridus de Pilketon' et "Willelmus de Graffham forestarii pedites in
curia grangiarum prioratus de Hunted', et obuiauerunt dicto Geruasio
de Dene equitanti super harnesium domini lohannis de Crackale ; et
ceperunt eum et conuocauerunt tres villatas propinquiores scilicet
Herf, Magnam Stiuecl', Riptonam Regis ad harnesium custodien-
dum ; et posuerunt dictum Geruasium in prisonam de Hunted' ; tunc
vicecomes dominus H. de Coleuil'. Post nonam uero venerunt ad
forestarios Walterus capellanus de Hunted' et alii capellani de eadem,
et Willelmus de Leycestr', balliuus domini episcopi Line', cum libro
et candela uolentes excomunicare omnes qui manum inposuerunt in
dictum Geruasium ; et pecierunt eum vt clericum et seruientem
domini episcopi ; et preceperunt forestariis deliberare eum de prisona.
Forestarii uero dixerunt quod non habnerunt potestatem deliberandi
ipsum ex quo fuit inprisonatus. Et ipsi iuerunt ad prisonam et in
presencia forestariorum ceperunt dictum Geruasium de prisona vt
clericum, et deposuerunt tenam suam, et habuit coronam de nouo
rasam vnde forestarii habuerunt suspicionem quod rasa fuit eodem
die in prisona. Dictus uero Geruasius iuit ad hernesium suum et
cepit illud et adiuit domum suam.-^
* Accidit die -' Veneris proxima ante festum sancti Andree anno
tricesimo sexto quod dominus R. de Clar' comes Glouc' iacuit in villa
sancti [Neti] in itinere suo versus Eboracum. Die Sabbati mane
misit magistrum cocum suum et Willelmum marescallum suum et
Walterum clericum de camera sua versus Stamford' ad hospicium
suum capiendum ; qui transierunt sub Wauberge et ceperunt vnam
damam cum tribus leporariis, quos duxerunt. Ricardus de Rudham,
tunc forestarius eques, monstrauit hoc factum domino comiti qui pre-
dictos homines bene aduocauit et factum eorum warantizauit.
^Accidit die' Sabbati proxima ante Anunoiacionem beate Marie
anno tricesimo septimo quod Ricardus de Rudham et Willelmus de
Cattewrthe et alii forestarii venerunt sub Sappel' infra noctem, ita
' 16 August 1251. ' MS. ' suum.' ' See r. 13, above.
2 The MS. has Rudham ; but the same - 24 November 1251.
place is twice called Ludham in subsdiuent " See p. 13 above,
entiles. ' 22 March 125f .
IIUXTIXGDOX, A.D. 1l>.-)1 78
The three barbed arrows and the three ' genderated ' arrows were
entrusted to Richard le Porter, the verderer, of Weston, to be pro-
duced before the justices.
Afterwards on Wednesday ^ the morrow of the Assumption of the
Blessed Mary towards the first hour Richard of Ludham and Wilham
le Rus, Geoffrey of Pilketon, and William of Graf ham, the walking
foresters, came to the court of the granges of the priory of Huntingdon
and met the said Gervais of Dene riding upon the harness of Sir John
of Crakehall. And they took him and assembled three neighbouring
townships, to wit, Hartford, Great Stukeley, King's Ripton to guard
the harness ; and they put the said Gervais in Huntingdon prison,
the sheriff being then Sir Henry de Colleville. But after noon there
came to the foresters Walter the chaplain of Huntingdon, and other
chaplains of the same town, and William of Leicester, the bailiff' of
the lord bishop of Lincoln, with a book and a candle, intending to
excommunicate ali those who laid hands on the said Gervais. And
they demanded him as a clerk and a servant of the lord bishop and
ordered the foresters to deliver him from prison. But the foresters
said that they had no power to deliver him from the time he was im-
prisoned. And they went to the prison and in the presence of the
foresters took the said Gervais from prison as a clerk. And they took
off his cap and he had the crown of his head freshly shaven, whence
the foresters suspected that it was shaved that day in prison. And
the said Gervais went to his harness, and took it and went home.
It happened on the Friday '' next before the feast of St. Andrew in
the thirty-sixth year that Sir Richard of Clare, earl of Gloucester,
slept in the town of St. Neots on his journey to York. On the
Saturday morning he sent his master-cook and William his marshal
and Walter the clerk of his chamber to Stamford to take his lodgings.
They passed through Wey bridge, and with three greyhounds, which
they led, took a doe. Richard of Ludham, then a riding forester,
reported this deed to the lord earl who well avowed the aforesaid men
and warranted their deed.
It happened on the Saturday" next before the Annunciation of
the Blessed Mary in the thirty-seventh year that Richard of Ludham
and William of Catworth and other foresters came to Sapley in the
79 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
quod viderunt duos leporarios ruffos currentes. Et exclamauerunt
leporarios et eos ceperunt. Et expectauerunt clam insidiantes si
aliquis sequeretur dictos leporarios et neminem viderunt. Postea die
Lune proxima sequenti, conuocatis forestariis, viridariis et quatuor
villatis propinquioribus, scilicet, Magna Stiuecl', Eiptona Abbatis,
Her ford', Riptona Regis ad inquirendum cuius predicti leporarii
fuerunt, et vnde venerunt, et quis eos duxit in forestam domini regis
ad malefaciendum.
Predicte villate dixerunt quod nichil inde sciuerunt.
' Septem cleriei et vnus capellanus, vt dixerunt, capti fuerunt per
forestarios et patriam in Stangate pro suspicione roberie die^ Lune
proxima ante Inuencionem sancte Crueis anno eodem et commissi
fuerunt Simoni '' de Houton', vicecomiti de Hunted' et Cant', coram
iusticiario ad ponendum in prisonam. Quinque arcus de yi cum
cordis, quos tulerunt, et tres walecthis ^ et vnum bosun traditi
fuerunt Simoni de Copraanford'.
Xn. (a).^
[QUEDAM INQUISICIONES DE UENACIONE IK FORESTA DE
ROCKINGHAM TEMPORE WILLELMI DE NORHAMTON'.]
Balliua de Stanerne.
^ Accidit die ' Mercurii in crastino apostolorum Philippi et lacobi
anno rengni regis Henrici tricesimo quod, cum Willelmus de
Norhampt' et Rogerus de Tyngewyc de placitis de Stanerne uersus
placita de Salcet' iter arripuissent, datum fuit intelligi prenominatis
W. et R., quod bersatores fuerunt in landa de Banifeld cum leporariis
ad malefaciendum de venacione domini regis. Et cum predicti W.
et R. ad landam peruenissent et ibidem insidiando expectassent,
Jacobus de Turleber', forestarius eiusdem balliue, et Matheus frater
eius, forestarius in parco de Bricstok', uenerunt cum forestariis pe-
ditibus ad mandatum predicti W. de Norhampt' ; et viderunt quinque
' See p. 14 above. ^ Forest Proceedings, Treasury of Be-
■ 28 April 1253. ceipt, No. 63. These aie some of the in-
'■' See p. 12, note 14. quisitions upon which the rolls of the eyre
* The reading of this word is doubtful. of June 1255 were based. See pp. 27 to 38.
The MS. is much worn here. '■ See p. 28. ■ 2 May 124G.
HUNTIXGDOX, A.D. 12o^ 79
night and saw two red greyhounds running. And the}' called the
greyhounds and took them. And they waited, lying in ambush
to see if anyone followed the said greyhounds, and they saw nobody.
Afterwards on the Monday next following, the foresters, verderers,
and four neighbouring townships, to wit. Great Stukeley, Abbots
Eipton, Hartford and King's Eipton, being assembled to make inquiry
as to whose the aforesaid greyhounds were, and whence they came,
and who brought them into the king's forest to do evil, the aforesaid
townships said that they knew nothing thereof.
Seven clerks and a chaplain, as they said, were taken by the
foresters and country in Stangate on suspicion of robbery on the
Monday '^ next before the Invention of the Holy Cross in the same
year ; and they were committed to Simon of Houghton, the sheriff of
Huntingdon and Cambridge, in the presence of the justice to be im-
prisoned. The five bows of yew with strings, which they carried,
and three Welsh arrows and a bolt were delivered to Simon of
Coppingford.
XII. (a).
CERTAIN INQUISITIONS CONCERNING THE VENISON IN
THE FOREST OF ROCKINGHAM IN THE TIME OF
WILLIAM OF NORTHAMPTON.
Bailiwick of Stanion,
It happened on Wednesday" the morrow of the apostles Philip and
James in the thirtieth year of the reign of king Henry that when
William of Northampton and Roger of Tingewick were on their way
from the pleas of Stanion to the pleas of Salcey, the before-named
William and Roger were given to understand that poachers were in
the lawn of Beanfield with greyhounds for the purpose of doing evil
to the venison of the lord king. And when the aforesaid William and
Roger had reached the lawn and were waiting there in ambush,
James of Thurlbear, forester of the same bailiwick, and Mathew, his
brother, forester in the park of Brigstock, came with the walking
foresters on the order sent by the aforesaid William of Northampton.
80 SELECT FOREST IXQUISITIOXS
leporarios, quorum vnus evat albus, alius niger, tercius fauus, quartus
niger coueratus fugantes bestias, quos dictus W. et E, ceperunt.
Quintus, uero, leporarius teyngre euasit. Et cum predicti sub foresta
redierunt a capcione leporariorum insidiando viderunt quinque
bersatores in dominico domini regis de Wydehawe, vnum cum balista,
et quatuor cum arcubus et sagittis stantes ad fusta sua. Quos cum
forestaiii percepissent, exclamauermit eos et eos prosecuti fuerunt. Et
predicti raa-lefactores ad fusta sua stantes turnauerunt in defensum
et in forestarios sagittas suas direxerunt, ita quod wlnerauerunt
Matheum forestarium de parco de Bricstok' cum duabus sagittis
waliscis, scilicet cum vna sagitta sub mamilla sinistra ad profundi-
tatem vnius palme de belongo et cum alia sagitta in brachio sinistro
ad profunditatem duorum digitatuum, ita quod de uita dicti Mathei
desperabatur. Et forestarii predictos malefactores tarn uiriliter
prosecuti fuerunt, quod malefactores in fugara conuersi sunt in
spissitudine bosei. Et forestarii propter noctis obscuritatem amplius
eos prosequi now potuerunt. Et super hec facta fuit inquisicio
apud Banifeld coram Willelmo ^ de Norhampt', tunc balliuo foreste,
et forestariis et viridariis patrie die'- inueiicionis sancte Crucis anno
eodem per quatuor uillatas propinquiores lande Banifeld, videlicet, per
Stoke, Carelton', Magnam Acle, Coreby.
Stoke venit et, iurata, dicit quod nichil inde scit,^ tantummodo
quod forestarii proseeuti fuerunt malefactores cum hy et cry usque
ad noctis obscuritatem, et quod vnus forestarius wlneratus fuit. Et
nescit cuius fuerunt leporarii.
Carelton' uenit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Coreby uenit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Magna [Acle]* uenit et, iurata, dicit quod uidit quatuor homines
et vnum leporarium teyngre eos sequentes, scilicet, vnum cum balista
et tres cum arcubus et sjtgittis, et exclamauit eos, et secuta est eos
cum forestariis usque ad noctis obscuritatem ita quod propter noctis
obscuritatem et bosci spissitudinem nesciit* quo deuenerunt.
Plegii uillate de Stok' coram iusticiariis : — Thomas prepositus,
Petrus de Coleuile.
Plegii uillate de Carelton' coram iusticiariis : — Galfridus Wythoud,
Walterus Baret.
Plegii uillate de Corby coram iusticiariis : — Norman filius prepositi,
Godwynus ad portam Aule.
> See p. 31, note 6. Throughout this - 3 May 1246.
roll William of Northampton is described ^ MS. ' sit.'
as bailiff of the forest and not as steward. * This word is omitted in the original.
He was acting as deputy for the steward or * MS. ' nesciut.'
warden.
NORTflAMPTONSniRE, A.D. 1l>46 80
And they saw five greyhounds, of which one was white, another black,
the third fallow, a fourth black covered, hunting beasts, which grey-
hounds the said William and Eoger took. But the fifth greyhound
which was tawny escaped. And when the aforesaid William and
Roger returned to the forest after taking the greyhounds, they lay in
ambush and saw five poachers in the lord king's demesne of Wyde-
hawe, one with a crossbow and four with bows and arrows standing at
their trees. And when the foresters perceived them, they hailed and
pursued them. And the aforesaid malefactors standing a,t their treeB
turned in defence and shot arrows at the foresters so that they
y\
wounded Mathew, the forester of the park of Brigstock, with two "^' xJ-
Welsh arrows, to wit with one arrow under the left breast, to the depth ^«^ i}^
of one hand slantwise, and with the second arrow in the left arm J
to the depth of two fingers, so that it was despaired of the life of the
said Matthew. And the foresters pursued the aforesaid malefactors
so vigorously that they turned and fied into the thickness of the
wood. And the foresters on account of the darkness of the night
could follow them no more. And thereupon an inquisition was made
at Beanfield before William of Northampton, then bailiff of the forest,
and the foresters and verderers of the country on the day " of the
Invention of the Holy Cross in the same year by four townships
neighbourmg on the lawn of Beanfield, to wit, by Stoke, Carlton,
Great Oakley, and Corby. J.^ ^
Stoke comes and being sworn says that it knows nothing thereof 1 yv^"^ .s
except only that the foresters attacked the malefactors with hue and ^ \^-
cry until the darkness of night came, and that one of the foresters ' 0'
was wounded. And it does not know whose were the greyhounds,
Carlton comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Corby comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Great Oakley comes and, being sworn, says that it saw four men
and one tawny greyhound following them, to wit, one with a crossbow
and three with bows and arrows, and it hailed them and followed ^
them with the foresters until the darkness of night came, so that on , ^ .
account of the darkness of night and the thickness of the wood it \i.y
knew not what became of them.
Pledges of the township of Stoke being before the justices :^-
Thomas the reeve, Peter de Colleville.
Pledges of the township of Carlton being before the justices :—
Geoffrey Wythoud, Walter Baret.
Pledges of the township of Corby being before the justices : —
Norman the son of the reeve, Godwin atte Hall gate.
M
81 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Plegii uillate de Magna Acle coram iusticiariis : — Eogerus filius
Eoberti, Galfridiis filius Nicbolai.
Sagitte cum quibus Matheus whieratus fuit, tradite fuerunt
domino Eoberto Basset et lohanni Louet, viridariis.
Leporarii missi fuerunt domino E. Passel', tunc iusticiario de
foresta.
^ Inquisicio facta apud Banifeld anno rengni regis Henrici tricesimo
coram domino Alano de Maydewell', vicecomite de Norhampt', de
Matbeo forestario interfecto apud Banifeld per omnes uillatas hun-
dredorum de Corb}' et de Stoke de Eowell' et de Stodfold, et per
triginta et quatuor tarn milites quam liberos et legales bomines patrie
quorum nomina sunt subscripta videlicet . . . et per forestarios et
viridarios illius balliue, qui dicunt omnes super sacramentum suum,
quod nichil inde sciunt nisi tantummodo quod cum lacobus de Tur-
lebere, frater Mathei occisi, Tbomas Borbard, lobannes filius Yuonis,
forestarii domini regis, commedissent die ^ Veneris proxima post
clausum Pascbe cum abbate de Pipwell' anno eodem, viderunt pre-
dicti forestarii in abbacia de Pj^pwelle tres leporarios, videlicet, vnum
teyngre, et vnum fauum, et vnum nigrum coueratum ; de quibus duo
ex illis leporariis capti fuerunt quando Matbeus forestarius occisus
fuit, et tercius teyngre qui euasit cum malefactoribus. Et eosdem
leporarios aduocauit Symon de Kyuelewortbe in abbacia de Pippwell'
coram abbate de PypwelF. Et quia forestarii iurati presentauerunt
viridariis, quod idem erant leporarii qui capti fuerunt quando Matbeus
occisus fuit, quos dictus Simon aduocauit, dictus Symon de Kyuele-
wortbe propter suspiccionem mortis predicte captus fuit et missus
apud Norbampt' ad inprisonandum. Et fuit tunc vicecomes Alanus
de Maydewell'.
Abbas vero de Pypwell' inuenit plegios coram iusticiariis de foresta
pro receptamento [dicti Symonis et] ^ dictorum * leporariorum [et
aduocauit dictum Simonem et leporarios].^ Et bee sunt nomina
plegiorum suorum . . .^
^ Accidit die " sancti Barnabe, apostoli, anno rengni regis [Henrici] '
tricesimo quod lacobus de Turlebere, forestarius in parco de Bricstok',
uenit in dicto parco circa horam primam et inuenit vnum hominem,
' See p. 28. ginal, being once interlineated.
2 20 April 1246. ^ gj^ names.
* The words in brackets are interlineated * See p. 29 above.
in the original. ' Monday, 11 June 1246.
* This word is written twice in the ori- ^ This word is omitted in the original.
^
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. I1M6 81
Pledges of the town of Great Oakle}^ being before the justices : —
Eoger the son of Robert, Geoffrey the son of Nicholas.
The arrows with which Mathew was wounded were delivered to
Sir Eobert Basset and John Lovet, verderers.
The greyhounds were sent to Sir Robert Passelewe, then justice of
the forest.
An inquisition was made at Benefield in the thirtieth year of the
reign of King Henry before Sir Alan of Maidwell, sheriff of North-
ampton, concerning Mathew the forester, who was killed at Beanfield,
by all the townships of the hundreds of Corby, Stoke, Rothwell and
Stodfold, and by thirty-four as well knights as free and loyal men of
the country, whose names are underwritten, to wit, . . . , and by the
foresters and verderers of that bailiwick, who all say upon oath that v. ^ ^
they know nothing thereof except only that when James of Thurlbear, \ W" 1^^
the brother of Mathew who was killed, Thomas Borhard, John the son \ ^ .j/
of Ives, foresters of the lord king, were eating on the Friday ^ next
after the close of Easter in the same year with the abbot of Pipewell,
the aforesaid foresters saw in the abbey of Pipewell three greyhounds,
to wit, one tawny, one fallow, and one black covered. And two of these
greyhounds were taken when Mathew the forester was slain, and the
third, the tawny greyhound, escaped with the malefactors. And Simon
of Kivelsworthy avowed the same greyhounds in the abbey of Pipewell
before the abbot of Pipewell. And because the foresters, on being
sworn, presented to the verderers that the greyhounds which were
taken when Mathew was killed were the same as those which the said
Simon avowed, the said Simon of Kivelsworthy was, on suspicion of
the death aforesaid, taken and sent to Northampton to be imprisoned.
And Alan of Maidwell was then sheriff.
And the abbot of Pipewell finds pledges of answering before the
justices of the forest for harbouring the said Simon and the said grey- ;;^
hounds ; and he avowed the said Simon and the greyhounds. And 1
these are the names of his pledges ...
It happened on the day^ of St. Barnabas the Apostle, in the
thirtieth year of the reign of King Henry, that James of Thurlbear,
forester in the park of Brigstock, came into the park of Brigstock
82 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
qui uocabatur lohamies films Stejjhani Cut de Blipton', portantem
vnum fetonem dame ; et dictus lacobus cepit eum et fecit summonere
Eicardum de Audeuincle, viridarium, qui uenit in crastino ' sancti
Barnabe et interogauit dictum lohannem filium Stepliani de societate
eiusdem qui nullam se dixit habere societatem, Dictus vero lohannes
filius Stephaui Cut missus fait apud Norhampt' ad inprisonandum.
Et fuit tunc vicecomes Alanus de Maydewell'.
Pellis vero predicti fetonis liberata fuit lohanni Louet, viridario, ut
habeat coram iusticiariis de foresta.
Accidit die ^ Veneris proxima ante festum sancti Edwardi regis
anno rengni regis tricesimo, quod Thomas fihus Rogeri ^ Fulconis de
Geytinton' uenit in parco de Bricstok' circa horam meridianam et
inuenit vnum ceruum whieratum et mortuum ; et habuit vnam
plagam in sinistra costa, et aliam plagam in sinistra parte coUis. Et
venit dictus Thomas et obuiauit forestariis et intimauit eis que
uiderat de ceruo mortuo. Et facta fuit inquisicio in parco predicto
die * Sabbati proxima ante festum sancti Edwardi per quatuor
uillatas propinquiores, videlicet, per Geytinton', Bricstoke, Stanerne,
Bouhton'.
Geytinton' venit et, iurata, dicit quod uiderunt dictum ceruum
mortuum, et quemdam alium ceruum per duos dies pugnantes
adinuicem, et quod ceruus occidit alium, et neminem habuit in
suspectum nisi hoc quod accidit ex infortunio.
Bricstok' non uenit, ideo inuenit plegios coram iusticiariis
respondendi. Nomina plegiorum videlicet. . .^
Caro autem tributa fuit pauperibus. Et cutis tradita fuit domino
Roberto Basset tunc viridario.
•5 Accidit die^ Veneris proxima post festum sancti Edwardi anno
tricesimo rengni regis Henrici quod Walterus homo Hugonis ^ de
Goldingham de Magna Acle uenerunt^ summo mane m pratis de
Acle et uiderunt ^ ibi vnam bissam amentem et aliquando titubantem
et aliquando cadentem. Et cum hec uiderant,^ mtimauerunt forestariis ;
et forestarii miserunt propter uiridarios ; et venerunt uiridarii, et
' Tuesday, 12 June 12-46. "= See p. 29 above.
2 15 June 1246. ' 21 June 1246.
3 This word is interlineated in the ori- * The words ' Hugonis de Goldingham '
ginal. are interlineated in the roll.
* 16 June 1246. " This word is written in the plural in
* Four names. the original.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1246 82
about the first hour, and found a man, who was called John the son
of Stephen Cut of Slipton, carrying a doe's fawn. And the said James
took him, and caused Eichard of Aldwinkle, the verderer, to be sum-
moned. And he came on the morrow ^ of St. Barnabas, and questioned
the said John the son of Stephen about his accomplices ; and he said
that he had no accomplices. And the said John the son of Stephen
Cut was sent to Northampton to be imprisoned. And the sheriff was
then Alan of Maidwell.
And the skin of the aforesaid fawn was delivered to John Lovet,
verderer, to have before the justices of the forest.
It happened on the Friday ^ next before the feast of St. Edward
the king, in the thirtieth year, that Thomas the son of Roger Fulk of
Geddington came into the park of Brigstock about midday, and found
a hart wounded and dead, and it had one wound in the left side and
another on the left part of the neck. And the said Thomas came
and met the foresters, and made known to them what he had seen of
the dead hart. And an inquisition was made in the park aforesaid
on the Saturday* next before the feast of St. Edward by four neigh-
bouring townships, to wit by Geddington, Brigstock, Stanion, Bough-
ton.
Geddington comes, and being sworn, says that they saw the said
hart, which is dead, and another hart fighting for two days with one
another, and that one hart killed the other ; and that it suspects
nobody, except this, that it happened accidentally. Brigstock does
not come, therefore it finds pledges of making answer before the
justices. Names of the pledges, to wit . . .
And the flesh was given to the poor. And the skin was delivered
to Sir Eobert Basset, then a verderer.
It happened on the Friday'^ next after the feast of St. Edward in
the thirtieth year of the reign of king Henry that Walter, the man of
Hugh of Goldingham, of Great Oakley, came at daybreak into the
meadows of Oakley and saw there a mad hind, sometimes stumbling
and sometimes falling. And when he saw this he sent word to the
foresters ; and the foresters sent for the verderers. And the verderers
83 SELECT FOEEST INQUISITIONS
uiderimt dictam bissam amentem. Et viridarii tradiderunt dictam
bissam uiuam uillate de Magna Acle usque in crastinum. Dicta
uero bissa eadem nocte moriebatur. Et facta fuit inquisicio apud
pratum de Acle die Sabbati sequenti coram viridariis et forestariis
per quatuor uillatas propinquiores, videlicet, per Magnam Acle,
Paruam Acle, Neuton', Corby.
Magna Acle uenit et, iurata, dicit quod de morte dicte bisse nichil
8cit,' nisi quod ex infirmitate moriebatur.
Parua Acle uenit et dicit idem.
Neuton' uenit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Corby uenit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Caro autem liberata fuit pauperibus de Eokingham. Cutis liberata
fuit lohanni Louet custodienda usque aduentum iusticiariorum.
' Accidit die ^ louis proxima ante festum Margarete anno rengni
regis Henrici tricesimo quod, cum Willelmus forestarius pedes in
parco de Bricstoke intrasset balliuam suam de parco, inuenit Hugonem
Swartgar, messorem uillate de Bricstok', ducentem duos mastinos
contra defensum forestariorum, scilicet, vnum album et alium ruffum.
Quidam uero homo de Bricstok' qui uocabatur Henricus Tuke ibat
cum messore, quos, cum uidisset, dictus W. uoluit eos atachiare
propter canes, quos ducebant tam sero sub parco domini regis. Et
noluerunt pati eos atachiare. Dictus uero Willelmus forestarius
intrauit uillam de Bricstoke insidiando, et iterum rediit ad locum ubi
predictos prius uiderat, et uidit eos iterum in eodem loco. Cum
autem predictus Hugo et predictus Henricus Tucke uiderunt forestarium
venientem uersus eos statim in fugam conuersi sunt ; et eos capere
non potuit. Et dictus Willelmus forestarius intrauit uillam de
Bricstok', et peciit Willelmum clericum abbatis de Cyrencestre et
Henricum prepositum de Bricstok' ut irent cum eo et uiderent, quod
ibi fecerunt. Et euntes cum eo inuenerunt in dicto loco quo prius
eos uiderat quinque laqueos de serico equino, quos dictus Hugo et
Henricus Tucke illuc posuerunt ad fetones vel ad lepores capiendos.
Dictus Willelmus forestarius omnia que uiderat uiridariis intimauit.
Et coram viridariis positi sunt per plegios usque aduentum
iusticiariorum de foresta.
Hec sunt nomina plegiorum Hugonis Swartgar : — Galfridus
Swartgar, Hugo filius Godyine, Gilbertus ad Stangnum, Petrus fihus
Ade, Henricus filius Kicardi, Henricus filius Geruasii.
' MS. ' sit.' ' See p. 29. ' 19 July 1246.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1216 83
came, and saw the said mad hind. And the verderers delivered the
said hind, while alive, to the township of Great Oakley till the
morrow. But the said hind died the same night. And an inquisition
was made at the meadow of Oakley on the Saturday following before
the verderers and foresters by four neighbouring townships, to wit,
Great Oakley, Little Oakley, Newton, Corby.
Great Oakley comes and, being sworn, says that it knows nothing
of the death of the said hind, except that it died of sickness.
Little Oakley comes and says the same.
Newton comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Corby comes and, being sworn, says the same.
The flesh was delivered to the poor of Eockingham. The skin
was delivered to John Lovet, to be kept till the coming of the justices.
It happened on the Thursday^ next before the feast of Saint
Margaret, in the thirtieth year of the reign of king Henry, that, when
William, the walking forester in the park of Brigstock, entered his
bailiwick of the park, he found Hugh Swartgar, the reaper of the town of
Brigstock, leading two mastiffs — to wit, one white and the other red —
against the prohibition of the foresters. And a certain man of Brig-
stock, who was called Henry Tuke, went with the reaper. And when
he saw them, the said William wished to attach them, on account
of the dogs which they led so late in the park of the lord king. And
they refused to allow him to attach them. And the said Wilham
the forester went into the town of Brigstock stealthily, and again
returned to the place where he had seen them before ; and he saw
them a second time in the same place. But when the aforesaid Hugh
and the aforesaid Henry Tuke saw the forester coming towards them,
they forthwith turned and fled, and he could not take them. And
the said William the forester went into the town of Brigstock and
sought for William, the clerk of the abbot of Cirencester, and Henry
the reeve of Brigstock, so that they might come with him and see
what the men did there. And they went with him, and found in the
same place where he had seen them before five snares of horse hair,
which the said Hugh and Henry Tuke had placed there for taking
fawns or hares. The said William the forester informed the verderers
of all that he had seen. And in the presence of the verderers the
men were put by pledges until the coming of the justices of the forest.
These are the names of the pledges of Hugh Swartgar : — Geoffrey
Swartgar, Hugh the son of Godwin, Gilbert atte Pool, Peter the son
of Adam, Henry the son of Kichard, Henry the son of Gervais.
84 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Hec sunt nomina plegiorum^ Henrici Tucke: — loliannesde Lurte-
broc, Matheus Croyle, Kicardus filius Eoberti, Henricus de Lurtebroc,
Robertus de Sutburgo, Henricus prepositns de Bricstok'.
Memorandum quod quinque laquei predict! traditi fuerunt Hugoni
filio Godyene et Gilberto de Hungre ad custodiendum usque aduentum
iusticiariorum de foresta.
^ Anno tricesimo primo. Accidit die ^ Dominica proxima post
Epiphaniam anno rengni regis Henrici tricesimo primo quod cum
Mauricius de Meht qui dicebat se esse cum domino R. Passel', trans-
gisset mane cum duobus equis per uillam de Sutburgo uidit tres
homines portantes vnum saccum. Et cum uidisset illos habuit illos
suspectos, et sequebatur eos usque uillam de Sutburgo cum arcu suo
extento. Cum autem predicti tres homines uiderunt eum illos sequen-
tem abiecerunt saccum et fugerunt. Dictus vero Mauricius de Meht
cepit saccum et inuenit in sacco vnam damam excoriatam et laqueum
cum quo bestia capta fuit. Et cum hoc fecisset iuit ad ecclesiam de
Sutburgo, et intimauit toti uillate, que acciderant. Et cum hoc
fecisset rediit iterum ad saccum et coreum dame asportauit. Dicta
vero uillata de Sutburg' misit propter uiridarios et forestarios, qui
uenerunt et rauenerunt omnia sicut predicta sunt. Et super hoc
facta fuit inquisicio apud Sutburgum die Lune proxima sequenti
coram uiridariis et forestariis pa trie per quatuor uillatas propin-
quiores, scilicet, per Sutburg', Lufwyc', Bricstok', Liuedene.
Sutburg' venit et, iurata, dicit quod Eadulfus filius Mabille'' de
Sutburg' fuit vnus eorum qui fugerunt, et tradidit illam venacionem
Willelmo filio Henrici de Benifeld. Tercius uero fuit Eobertus de
Grafton', qui per breue tempus ante fuit cum Angnete Cornet, qui
fugit et nondum inuentus est. Set dicta Angnes Cornet inuenit
plegios coram iusticiariis de foresta pro dicto Roberto, scilicet, Hugo-
nem filium Rogeri et Petrum filium Rogeri. Predicti uero Radulfus
filius Mabille et Willelmus filius Henrici capti fuerunt et missi apud
Norhampt' ad inprisonandum, et traditi fuerunt domino Alano de
Maj'deweir tunc vicecomiti Norhampt'.
Caro dame data fuit leprosis de Trapeston'.
Laqueus uero cum quo dicta dama capta fuit tradebatur Roberto
filio Luce de Liueden' et Radulfo filio Quenild' de eadem custodiendus
usque in aduentum iusticiariorum de foresta.
' This word is omitted in tlie roll. ^ 13 January 124|.
? See p. 29. ^ MS. ' Mibille.'
UNIVERSITY
OF
NORTIIAMPTONSHIEE, A.D. 1246 8i
These are the names of the pledges of Henry Tuke : — John of
Lortebrook, Mathew Croyle, Eichard the son of Robert, Henry of
Lortebrook, Eobert of Sudborough and Henry the reeve of Brigstock.
Be it remembered that the aforesaid five snares were deHvered
to Hugh the son of Godwin and Gilbert of Hungry to keep until the
coming of the justices of the forest.
In the thirty-first year. It happened on the Sunday ^ next after the
Epiphany, in the thirty-first year of the reign of king Henry, that
when Maurice de Meht, who said that he was with Sir Robert
Passelewe, passed in the morning with two horses through the
town of Sudborough, he saw three men carrying a sack. And when
he saw them he suspected them and followed them as far as the
town of Sudborough with his bow stretched. And when the afore-
said three men saw him following them they threw away the sack
and fled. And the said Maurice de Meht took the sack, and found
in it a doe, which had been flayed, and a snare, with which the beast
was taken. And when he had done this he went to the church of
Sudborough, and made known to the whole township what had
happened. And when he had done this he returned again to the
sack, and carried away the skin of the doe. And the township of
Sudborough sent after the verderers and foresters, who came and
found all the things, just as aforesaid. And upon this an inquisition
was made at Sudborough on the Monday next following before the
verderers and foresters of the country by the four neighbouring
townships, to wit, Sudborough, Lowick, Brigstock, Lyveden.
Sudborough comes and, being sworn, says that Ralph the son of
Mabel of Sudborough was one of those men who fled, and he delivered
that venison to William the son of Henry of Benefield. And the
third was Robert of Grafton, who a short time before was with Agnes
Cornet ; and he fled, and is not yet found. But the said Agnes
Cornet finds pledges on behalf of the said Robert of his being before
the justices of the forest, to wit Hugh the son of Roger, and Peter
the son of Roger. And the aforesaid Ralph the son of Mabel and
William the son of Henry were taken and sent to Northampton to
be imprisoned ; and they were delivered to Sir Alan of Maidwell,
then the sheriff of Northampton.
The flesh of the doe was given to the lepers of Thrapston.
And the snare with which the said doe was taken was delivered
to Robert the son of Luke of Lyveden, and Ralph the son of Quenyl
of the same town, to keep until the coming of the justices of the forest.
85 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Willata de Sutburg' inuenit plegios coram iusticiariis de foresta,
quia paciebatur Mauricium de Meht coreum dame asportare.
Catalla Eadulfi filii Mabille capta fuerunt in manum domini regis
et apreciata per uiridarios et forestarios pro nouem solidis, et tradita
fuerunt in balia Thome de Grafton' manenti in Sutburg'.
Eobertus de Grafton', fugitiuus, et Willelmus filius Henrici nulla
habuerunt catalla.
Mauricius de Meht non fuit captus quia dixit se esse cum domino
Eoberto Passel', tunc iusticiario foreste.
^Accidit die' Lune proxima ante festum sancti Mathie apostoli
anno tricesimo primo contra uesperas quod Simon Abbas et Willelmus
Scoticus socius eius, forestarii pedites in parco de Bricstoke, uenerunt
inter boscum Eadulfi de sancto Sampsone ^ et parcum de Bricstok' et
obuiauerunt Henricum filium Geruasii Piscatoris de Yslop et intero-
gauerunt eum quis esset, qui dixit se esse cum domino Henrico de
Drayton', milite. Prenominati uero forestarii miserunt propter"*
uiridarios patrie qui uenerunt et interogauerunt eum de societate
eiusdem. Et dictus Henricus indictauit Eobertum filium Quenild de
receptamento et Eadulfum filium Eoberti Quenild de societate et
Willelmum de Drayton' filium domini Henrici de Drayton' de societate.
Et pro suspeccione eadem^ scrutauerunt viridarii et forestarii domum
Eoberti filii Quenild et inuenerunt in ea vnam fleckam sanguinolentam
fractam. Idem Henricus filius Geruasii de Yslep inuenit plegios de
essendo coram iusticiariis de foresta. ..."
Eobertus filius Quenild inuenit plegios pro receptamento Eadulfi
filii sui, scilicet . . . ^
Eadulfus filius Eoberti filii Quenild inuenit plegios coram ius-
ticiariis, scilicet . . . ^
Willelmus filius domini Henrici de Drayton' inuenit plegios coram
iusticiariis pro eodem, scilicet . . . ^
Memorandum quod flecka inuenta in domo Eoberti filii Quenild
liberata fuit domino E. Basset viridario.
Isti sunt plegii Eoberti filii Willelmi de Lufwyc coram iusticiariis
pro suspeccione ..."
' See p. 30 above. ' MS. ' eodem.'
' 18 February 124f. * Five names.
' MS. ' Sapson'.' ' Four names.
* MS. ' pro.' • Six names.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 124f 85
The township of Sudborough finds pledges of being before the
justices of the forest, because it allowed Maurice de Meht to carry
away the skin of the doe.
The chattels of Kalph the son of Mabel were taken into the hand
of the lord king, and appraised by the verderers and foresters at nine
shillings, and they were delivered in bail to Thomas of Grafton, who
dwells in Sudborough.
Robert of Grafton, the fugitive, and William the son of Henry
had no chattels.
Maurice de Meht was not taken because he said that he was with
Sir Robert Passelewe, then justice of the forest.
It happened on the Monday ^ next before the feast of St. Matthias
the apostle, in the thirty-first year about vespers, that Simon Abbot
and William Scot, his companion, walking foresters in the park
of Brigstock, went between the wood of Ralph of St. Samson and
the park of Brigstock ; and they met Henry the son of Gervais, the
fisher of Islip ; and they asked him who he was ; and he said that he
was with Sir Henry of Drayton, knight. And the aforesaid foresters
sent after the verderers of the country, who came and questioned him
about his company. And the said Henry charged Robert the son of
Quenyl with harbouring, and Ralph the son of Robert Quenyl with
complicity, and William of Drayton the son of Sir Henry of Drayton
with complicity. And out of suspicion the verderers and foresters
searched the house of Robert the son of Quenyl, and they found a
fletch in it, bloody and broken. The same Henry the son of Gervais
of Islip finds pledges of being before the justices of the forest . . . ^
Robert the son of Quenyl finds pledges for having harboured
Ralph his son, to wit . . . ^
Ralph the son of Robert the son of Quenyl finds pledges of being
before the justices, to wit . . . ^
William the son of Sir Henry of Drayton finds pledges of being
before the justices for the same offence, to wit . . . ^
Be it remembered that the fletch found in the house of Robert
the son of Quenyl was delivered to Sir Robert Basset, a verderer.
These are the pledges of Robert the son of William of Lowick
being before the justices for suspicion ... *
86 SELECT FOEEST INQUISITIONS
Plegii Walter! filii Geruasii pro suspeccione : — Hugo Pinctor,
Henricus de Sutton', Eadulfus Pinctor, Adam de Yslep, lohannes
filius Godwyni.
1 Anno tricesimo primo. Accidit die ^ Lune proxima post festum
sancte Trinitatis anno tricesimo primo quod datum fuit intelligi
forestariis de balliua de Eokingham quod vna bissa capta fuit apud
le Eisenebrige per leporarios. Et super hoc facta fuit inquisicio
coram viridariis et forestariis per quatuor uillatas propinquiores,
scilicet, Geytinton', Neutone, Stanerne, Paruam Acle.
Geytintone venit et, iurata, dicit quod nichil inde scit nee aliquem
habet suspectum uec aliquem malefactorem sciunt esse in foresta
domini regis.
Neuton' venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Stanerne venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Parua Acle venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
^ Anno tricesimo secundo. Accidit die ■* Lune proxima post
festum sancti Michaelis anno tricesimo secundo quod malefactores
intrauerunt balliuam de firma de Bricstok', quos cum forestarii per-
ceperunt prosecuti sunt malefactores in magnam trencheam inter
Bricstok' et Liueden' cum uillata de Bricstok' et nullum eorum capere
potuerunt. Et super hoc facta fuit inquisicio coram viridariis et
forestariis patrie per quatuor uillatas propinquiores, videlicet, per
Bricstok', Liueden', Sutburg', Lufwyc.
Bricstok' uenit et, iurata, dicit quod nullum eorum cognouit.
Liuedene uenit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Sutburg' venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Lufwyc venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Set post inquisicionem factam omnes uillate cum uiridariis et
forestariis scrutauerunt magnam trencheam et inuenerunt capud
cuiusdam zouris cum intralibus. Et liberatum fuit capud Henrico
filio Wydonis de Bricstok' et Gilberto ad Stagnum usque aduentum
iusticiariorum de foresta.
This entry is •written on a schedule to the roll. ' See p. 30 above.
21 May 1247. ' 5 October 1248.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 124f 86
The pledges of Walter the son of Gervais for suspicion are : — Hugh
the painter, Henry of Sutton, Ealx^h the painter, Adam of Islip and
John the son of Godwin.
In the thirty-first year. It happened on the Monday ^ next after the
feast of the Holy Trinity, in the thirty-first year, that the foresters
of the hailiwick of Kockingham were given to understand that a hind
had been taken by greyhounds at Eising Bridge. And thereupon an
inquisition was made before the verderers and foresters by four neigh-
bouring townships, to wit Geddington, Newton, Stanion, Little Oakley.
Geddington comes and, being sworn, says that it knows nothing
thereof, nor does it suspect anyone, nor know of any evil doer in the
forest of the lord king.
Newton comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Stanion comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Little Oakley comes and, being sworn, says the same.
In the thirty-second year. It happened on the Monday ■* next after
the feast of St. Michael, in the thirty-second year, that malefactors
entered the bailiwick of Brigstock Farming. And when the foresters
perceived them they, together with the township of Brigstock, followed
them as far as the great clearing between Brigstock and Lyveden ;
and they could take none of them. And upon this an inquisition
was made before the verderers and foresters of the country by four
neighbouring townships, to wit, Brigstock, Lyveden, Sudborough and
Lowick.
Brigstock comes and, being sworn, says that it recognised none of
them.
Lyveden comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Sudborough comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Lowick comes and, being sworn, says the same.
But after the inquisition was made all the townships, together
with the verderers and foresters, searched the great clearing, and
found the head of a certain soar, together with its entrails. And the
head was delivered to Henry the son of Guy of Brigstock and
Gilbert atte Pool to keep until the coming of the justices of the
forest.
Memoran-
dum de , ,
piegiis. loresta
87 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Anno tricesimo secundo. ^ Accidit die "^ Veneris proxima ante Puri-
ficacionem anno rengni regis Henrici tricesimo secundo quod Eicardus
de Wynewyc, wodeward abbatis de Pipwell' in Lutlehawe, venit in
Lutelhawe, et inuenit vnum ceruum mortuum bersatum in femore
dextro cum quadam sagitta barbelata. Dictus vero Eicardus de
Wynewj'c intimauit hoc forestariis domini regis et viridariis patrie.
Et super hoc facta fuit inquisicio die^ Sabbati proxima sequenti apud
Lutelhawe coram viridariis et forestariis patrie per quatuor uillatas
propinquiores, videlicet, per Carelton', Acle Magnam, Euston',
Cotingha'.
Carelton' uenit et, iurata, dicit quod neminem habet suspectum.
Acle venit et dicit idem.
Euston' uenit et dicit idem.
Cotingha' non uenit ; ideo inuenit plegios coram iusticiariis de
Caro autem data fuit infirmis de Eokingha'. Et sagitta et
capud cerui et pellis tradita fuerunt lohanni Louet, tunc viridario,
custodienda usque aduentum iusticiariorum de foresta.
Hec nomina plegiorum Eicardi de Wynewyc, inuentoris dicti
cerui, de ueniendo coram iusticiariis de foresta : — Eicardus Eomanus,
Galfridus in angulo de Acle.
"Anno tricesimo secundo. ^Accidit die ^ Sabbati proxima ante
Dommicam Palmarum circa meridiem, venit dommus Walterus de Grey
transiens per mediam landam de Banifeld, et quatuor armigeri et tres
garciones veniebant post ipsum, ducentes tres leporarios, quos fecerunt
curere ad vnam herdiam bestiarum in landa predicta usque coopertam
bosci. Et Willelmus clericus dicti W. et lohannes garcio eiusdem et
Eicardus de Aslageby sequebantur leporarios. Interim superuenerunt
forestarii, scilicet Henricus de Kyrkefeld et Eadulfus Saracenus, et
ceperunt dictum Willelmum clericum et lohannem hominem suum et
equum et leporarios, et dictum Eicardum. Et in crastino facta fuit
inquisicio per quatuor uillatas propinquiores coram viridariis et
forestariis patrie, videlicet, per Corby, Cotingham, Acle, Carelton'.
Coreby venit et, iurata, dicit quod nescit vtrum leporarii euaserunt
a lescia an spontanea uoluntate ^ dicti W. elerici et lohannis hominis
sui dimissi fuerunt curere ad bestias ; set bene constat ei quod dicti
leporarii cucurrerunt ad bestias usque® couertam bosci set nichil
' See p. 31 above. ■• This entry is written on * 11 April 1248.
^ 31 January 124|. a schedule to the roll. ' MS. ' uolutate.'
^ 1 February 124|. * See p. 31 above. • MS. ' us.'
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 124| 87
In the thirty-second year. It happened on the Friday "^ next before
the feast of the Purification, in the thirty- second year of the reign of
King Henry, that Eichard of Winwick, the woodward of the abbot
of Pipwell in Littlehawe, came into Littlehawe and found a dead hart
which had been shot in the right thigh with a certain barbed arrow.
And the said Eichard of Winwick informed the foresters of the lord
King and the verderers of the country of this. And thereupon an
inquisition was made on the Saturday ^ next following at Littlehawe
before the verderers and foresters of the country by four neighbouring
townships, to wit, Carlton, Great Oakley, Eushton, and Cottingham.
Carlton comes and, being sworn, says that it suspects nobody.
Oakley comes and says the same.
Eushton comes and says the same.
Cottingham does not come, therefore it finds pledges of being
before the justices of the forest.
The flesh was given to the sick of Eockingham. And the arrow
and the hart's head and its skin were delivered to John Lovet, then
a verderer, to keep until the coming of the justices of the forest.
These are the names of the pledges of Eichard of Winwick, the
finder of the said hart, coming before the justices of the forest : —
Eichard the Eoman and Geoffrey atte Nook of Oakley.
In the thirty-second year. It happened on the Saturday*^ next
before Palm Sunday about midday that Sir Walter de Grey came
across the middle of Beanfield lawn, and four esquires and three
boys came after him leading three greyhounds, which they caused to
run after a herd of beasts in the lawn aforesaid as far as the covert
of the wood. And William, the clerk of the said Walter, and John
his page, and Eichard of Aslackby followed the greyhounds. In the
meantime the foresters, to wit Henry of Churchfield and Ealph the
Saracen, came up, and took the said William the clerk and John his
man, and a horse and the greyhounds and the said Eichard. And
on the morrow an inquisition was made before the verderers and
foresters of the country by four neighbouring townships, to wit, by
Corby, Cottingham, Oakley and Carlton. Corby comes and, being
sworn, says that it knows not whether the greyhounds escaped from
the leash or were released of the free will of the said William the
clerk and John his man to run after the beasts ; but it is quite sure
that the said greyhounds ran after the beasts as far as the covert of
88 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
ceperunt. Et prenominati missi fiierunt apucl Eokingham ad in-
prisonandum. Et deliberati fuerunt per preceptum domini Eoberti
Passel'.
Anno tricesimo secundo. Inquisicio facta die ^ Merciirii proxima
post festum sancti Mathei apostoli anno rengni regis Henrici trice-
simo secundo coram Willelmo de Norhampt', tunc balliuo foreste, et
coram viridariis et forestariis patrie per Bricstok', Sutburg', Liueden',
Wadenho, Audeuincle de morte Stepliani de Multona, forestarii, in
foresta domini regis occisi.
Bricstoke venit et, iurata, dicit quod Galfridus de Sutburgo capel-
lanus ministrans in ecclesia beati Petri de Audeuincle cum domino
Eogero, rectore dicte ecclesie, occidit dictum Stephanum cum quadam
sagitta barbelata stans super quandam quercum in bosco Willelmi de
Musca. Et nullum liabent suspectum de morte dicti Stephani nisi
dictum capellanum.
Anno tricesimo tercio. ^ Inquisicio facta die ^ Animarum anno
rengni regis Henrici tricesimo tercio coram Willelmo de Norhampt',
tunc balliuo foreste, et coram viridariis et forestariis patrie apud
Pipweir de quodam ceruo de quo Willelmo de Insula inputabatur quod
deberet ilium cepisce in Loutelund', videlicet, per quatuor villatas
propinquiores de Loutelond, videlicet, per Deseburg', Braybroc,
Hetherinton', Torp sub bosco.
Deseburg' venit et, iurata, dicit quod Willelmus de Insula
inmunis "* est a capcione illius cerui de quo inputabatur ; et nullum
malefactorem cognoscit in foresta domini regis.
Braybroc venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Hetherinton' venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Memoran- Torp sub bosco non uenit.
dum.
Anno tricesimo tercio. Accidit die'^ Veneris in vigilia sancti
Edmundi regis anno rengni regis Henrici tricesimo tercio quod Eicardus
de Horton', tunc forestarius eques in parco de Bricstok', inuenit in
quodam fossato sub villa de Bouhton' quatuor membra cuiusdam
bestie, que cum inuenisset dictus Eicardus uidit tres homines uenientes
' 23 September 1248. ^ 19 November 124S. The feast of St.
" See p. 30 above. Edmund king and martyr seems to have
^ Monday, 2 November 1248. been commemorated on 20 November, which
* The true reading of this word is very in this year was itself a Friday,
doubtful.
NOliTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.l). 1248 88
wood, but they took nothing. And the before named were sent to
Rockingham to be imprisoned. And afterwards they were deHvered
by the order of Sir Robert Passelewe.
In the thirty-second year. An inquisition was made on the
Wednesday ^ next after the feast of St. Matthew the Apostle in the
thirty- second year of the reign of king Henry before Wilham of
Northampton, then baihff of the forest, and before the verderers and
foresters of the country by Brigstock, Sudborough, Lyveden,
Wadenhoe and Aldwinkle concerning the death of Stephen of Moulton,
a forester, who was slain in the forest of the lord king.
Brigstock comes and, being sworn, says that Geoffrey of Sud-
borough, a chaplain, serving in the church of St. Peter at Aldwinkle
with Sir Roger, the rector of the said church, stood on a certain oak
in the wood of William de la Mouche and killed the said Stephen with
a certain barbed arrow. And they suspect nobody of the death of the
said Stephen except the said chaplain.
In the thirty-third year. An inquisition was made on All Souls'
day^ in the thirty-third year of the reign of king Henry before
William of Northampton, then bailiff of the forest, and before the
verderers and foresters of the country at Pipewell concerning a hart,
of which it was imputed to William de I'lsle that he was supposed to
have taken it in Loatland, to wit, by four townships neighbouring on
Loatland, to wit, by Desborough, Braybrooke, Harrington and Thorpe
Underwood.
Desborough comes and, being sworn, says that William de I'lsle
is clear of the taking of that hart, of which it was imputed to him ;
and it knows of no malefactor in the forest of the lord king.
Braybrooke comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Harrington comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Thorpe Underwood does not come.
In the thirty-third year. It happened on Friday^ the vigil of
St. Edmund the king in the thirty-third year of the reign of king
Henry, that Richard of Horton, then riding forester in the park
of Brigstock, found four limbs of a certain beast in a certain ditch
near the town of Boughton. And when he had found them, the
said Richard saw three men coming from the park of Brigstock,
89 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
cle parco de Bricstok' itinerantes per altam uiam uersus Pyhtesl' quos
dictus Eicardus habuit suspectos quorum nomina sunt hec : — Thomas
Basset filius domini Eadulfi Basset de Weledon', Philippus Walens',
Willelmus le Vacher, quos arestauit pro suspeccione. Et super hoc
facta fuit inquisicio die ' sancti Edmundi regis anno predicto apud
Bouton' coram Willelmo de Norhampt', tunc balHuo foreste, et coram
viridariis et forestariis patrie per quatuor villatas propinquiores,
videHcet, per Geytinton', Verketon', Wycle, Bouhton'.
Geytinton' venit et, iurata, dicit quod nichil scit inde et neminem
habet suspectum de transgressione dicte venacionis.
Verketon' venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Vycle venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Bouhton' venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Memoran- Caro data fuit leprosis de Trapston'.
T^Bas^t. Predicti vero Philippus Valens' et Willelmus le Vacher inuenerunt
plegios pro suspeccione de essendo coram iusticiariis de foresta,
videlicet ^ . . .
^ Anno tricesimo tercio. Accidit die ^ Pasche anno rengni regis
Henrici tricesimo tercio quod Simon de Ouerton', persona de Walde,
venit in campo de Waldegraue et cepit ibidem vnum capriolum die
Pasche circa horam primam. Et super hoc facta fuit inquisicio apud
boscum de Malesle die ^ Lune proxima ante festum beati Marce
ewangeliste anno eodem coram Willelmo de Norhampt', tunc balliuo
foreste, et coram viridariis [et] forestariis patrie per quatuor villatas
propinquiores, videlicet, per Waldam, Waldegrauam, Haninton',
Faxton'.
Walda uenit et, iurata, dicit quod Simon de Ouerton', persona de
Walde, uenit die Pasche circa horam primam et cepit vnum capriolum
in campo de Waldegraue cum leporariis.
Waldegraue uenit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Haninton' venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
Faxton' venit et, iurata, dicit idem.
^ Anno tricesimo tercio. Accidit die ' louis in festo sancti lohannis
ante portam Latinam anno tricesimo tercio quod Eadulfus de Susex
et Adam, socius suus, forestarii pedites in balliua de Firma,
' Friday, 20 November 1248. * Sunday, 4 April 1249.
2 Twelve names. * 19 April 1249.
» See p. 31 above. * See p. 32 above. ' 6 May 1249.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1248 89
journeymg along the highway towards Pytchley, and the said Richard
suspected them, whose names are these : — Thomas Basset, the son
of Sir Ralph Basset of Weldon, Philip the Welshman and WiUiam
leVacher; and he arrested them on suspicion. And thereupon an
inquisition was made on the day • of St, Edmund the king, in the year
aforesaid at Boughton, before William of Northampton, then baihff
of the forest, and before the verderers and foresters of the country
by four neighbouring townships, to wit by Geddington, Warkton,
Weekley, and Boughton.
Geddington comes and, being sworn, says that it knows nothing
thereof, and suspects nobody of trespass against the said venison.
Warkton comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Weekley comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Boughton comes and, being sworn, says the same.
The flesh was given to the lepers of Thrapston.
And the aforesaid Philip the Welshman and William le Vacher
on account of suspicion found pledges of their being before the
justices, to wit, . . .
In the thirty-third year. It happened on Easter day* in the
thirty-third year that Simon of Overton, parson of Old, came into
the field of Walgrave and took there a roe about the first hour. And
thereupon an inquisition was made at Mawsley wood on the Monday ^
next before the feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, in the same year before
William of Northampton, then the bailiff of the forest, and before the
verderers and foresters of the country by four neighbouring town-
ships, to wit. Old, Walgrave, Hannington and Faxton.
Old comes and, being sworn, says that Simon of Overton, parson
of Old, came on Easter day about the first hour and took a roe in
the field of Walgrave with greyhounds.
Walgrave comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Hannington comes and, being sworn, says the same.
Faxton comes and, being sworn says the same.
In the thirty -third year. It happened on Thursday ^ on the feast
of St. John before the Latin gate in the thirty-third year that Ralph
of Sussex and Adam, his fellow, walking foresters in the Farming
Meraoran-
dum de arcu . . ^
et sagittis. niridario
00 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
obuiauerunt cuidain garcioni de Wadenho in foresta, scilicet in Lochawe
qui vocatur Eogerus filius Laurencii de Wadenho cum arcu et sagittis
barbelatis et vna sagitta valisca ; quern cum uidissent, forestarii
ceperunt eum propter suspeecionem, et missus fuit apud Norhampt'
ad inprisonandum, et liber atus domino Simoni de Trop tunc vice-
comiti Norhampt'.
Arcus et sagitte liberate fuerunt Ricardo de Audeuincle,^ tunc
Anno tricesimo quarto. Accidit circiter diem - Veneris proximam
post festum sancte Marie Egiptiate anno tricesimo quarto quod
quedam dama euasit de parco domini regis Norhampt' et intrauit
campum de Brampton' ; quam, cum homines domine Hugelyne de
Brampton' percepissent, venit quidam de suis cuius nomen ingnoratur,
equitans super equm bay cum duobus leporariis, de quibus vnus eorum
erat teyngre et alter albus. Et prosecutus fuit dictam damam usque
in campum de Pyceford ; et ibi cepit dictam damam. Et super hoc
facta fuit inquisicio coram viridariis et forestariis patrie per quatuor
uillatas propinquiores, videlicet, Pyzeford, Brickelesworthe, Sywell',
Holokot'.^'
Pyzeford venit et, iurata, dicit quod quedam dama euadiata fuit
de parco de Norhampt' et intrauit campum de Bramj)ton'. Et venit
quidam homo domine Hugeline de Neuil' cum duobus leporariis et
prosequebatur dictam damam, et cepit earn in campo de Pizeford, et
duxit dictam venacionem secum in domo domine Hugeline. Set non
possunt atachiari quia manent extra forestam.
Brickeleworthe, Sywell', Holokote, iurate, dicunt idem.
■* Inquisicio facta apud Stanerne die ^ Veneris proxima post Purifica-
cionem anno tricesimo quarto de Willelmo Mauclerc^ capto cum una
trape per quatuor uillatas, scilicet, per Bricstok', Benifeld', Sutburg'
et Stoke.
Brikestok', iurata, uenit et dicit quod Willelmus Mauclerc fecit
unara trappe ad venacionem capiendam et neminem alium habuit
suspectum.
Benifeld', Sutburg, Stoke, iurate, dicunt idem.
' MS. ' Audeuicle.' ' ' See p. 32 above.
■' 8 April 1250. ^ 4 February 12f|.
* This word is most distinctly so written iu the roll. * MS. ' Mauclec'
NORTH AMrTONSIIIRE, A.D. 1249 90
bailiwick, met a certain bo}' of Wadenhoe, who is called Eoger
the son of Lawrence of Wadenhoe, in the forest, to wit, in
Lockhawe with a bow and barbed arrows, and a Welsh arrow. And
the foresters, when they saw him, took him on suspicion ; and he was
sent to Northampton to be imprisoned ; and he was delivered to
Sir Simon of Thorp, then sheriff of Northampton.
The bow and arrows were delivered to Richard of Aldwinkle, then
a verderer.
In the thirty-fourth year. It happened about the Friday ^ next after
the feast of St. Mary of Egypt in the thirty-fourth year that a certain
doe escaped from the lord king's park at Northampton, and went into
the field of Brampton. And when the men of the lady Hugelyn of
Brampton perceived it, one of them, whose name is not known, came
riding on a bay horse with two grej^hounds, one of which was tawny
and the other white. And he followed the said doe as far as the field
of Pitsford ; and there he took the said doe. And thereupon an in-
quisition was made before the verderers and foresters of the country
by four neighbouring townships, to wit, Pitsford, Brixworth, Sywell,
and Holcot.
Pitsford comes and, being sworn, says that a certain doe was
driven to escape from the park of Northampton, and it went into the
field of Brampton. And a certain man of the lady Hugelyn de Neville
came with two greyhounds, and followed the said doe and took it in
the field of Pitsford, and he brought the said venison with him to the
house of the lady Hugelyn ; but they cannot be attached, because they
dwell outside the forest.
Brixworth, Sywell and Holcot, being sworn, say the same.
An inquisition concerning William Mauclerc who was taken with
a trap was made at Stanion on the Friday ^ next after the feast of the
Purification in the thirty-fourth year by four townships, to wit, by
Brigstock, Benefield, Sudborough and Stoke.
Brigstock, being sworn, comes and says that William Mauclerc
made a trap for taking venison, and it suspects nobody else.
Benefield, Sudborough and Stoke, being sworn, say the same.
91 SELECT FOKEST INQUISITIONS
Predicta trappa liberata fuit Henrico Preposito de Bricstok' et
Henrico filio Wydonis. Et dictus Willelmus missus fuit ad prisonam.
Et fuit tunc vicecomes Norhampt' dominus Symon de Trop.
Venacio data per dominum regem.
Anno tricesimo. Cometissa Leycest' habuit ' in foresta de
Eokingha' de dono domini regis ad festum apostolorum Petri et
Pauli ^ anno tricesimo septem damos.
Dominus Galfridus de Langeleye habuit ^ in eadem foresta de dono
domini regis eodem anno circiter eundem festum tres damos.
Anno tricesimo primo. Nicholaus de Kyryel habuit in eadem
foresta ad festum "• sancti Petri ad uincula de dono domini regis duos
damos anno tricesimo primo.
Commetissa Leycest' habuit ^ in eadem foresta de dono domini
regis ad Natiuitatem beate Marie ® decem damos anno eodem.
Dominus G. de Langel' habuit ^ in eadem foresta de dono domini
regis ad festum sancti Laurencii * anno eodem duos damos.
Eobertus de Mares habuit ^ in eadem foresta de dono domini regis
circa eundem festum vnum damum.
Aymaricus de Lezynan habuit '^ in eadem foresta decem damos.
Anno tricesimo secundo. Dominus E. comes Cornubye uenit in
foresta de Eokingha' circiter Assumpcionem beate Marie ^' et cepit in
parco et extra parcum bestias ad placitum anno tricesimo secundo.
Idem comes in redditu suo de Norhtpatria cepit in parco et extra
parcum bestias ad placitum circiter Exaltacionem sancte Crucis '"^ anno
eodem.
Dominus Simon de Monte Forti habuit in balliua de Eokingha'
circiter ad uincula '^ sancti Petri de dono domini regis duodecim damos
anno tricesimo secundo.
' By letters close dated 17 August 1246. See Close Eoll 61, m. 5.
See Close Eoll 60, m. 5. " Saturday, 10 August 1247.
* Friday, 29 June 1246, " By letters close dated 11 August 1247.
' By letters close dated 3 August 1246. See Close Eoll 61, m. 5.
See Close Roll 60, m, 6, '» By letters close dated 28 August 1247
^ Thursday, 1 August 1247, he was given twenty bucks. See Close Eoll
* By letters close dated 7 July 1246. 61, m. 4.
See Close Eoll 61, m. 6. " Saturday, 15 August 1248.
« Sunday, 8 September 1247. '-' Monday, 14 September 1248.
' By letters close dated 7 August 1247. '^ Saturday. 1 August 1248.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 12|f 91
The aforesaid trap was delivered to Henry the reeve of Brigstock,
and Henry the son of Guy. And the said WilHam was sent to prison.
And the sheriff of Northampton was then Sir Simon of Thorp.
Venison given by the lord king.
In the thirtieth year. The countess of Leicester had seven bucks in
the forest of Rockingham of the gift of the lord king on the feast of
the apostles Peter and Paul.'^
Sir Geoffrey of Langley had three bucks in the same forest of the
gift of the lord king in the same year about the time of the same
feast.
In the thirty-first year. Nicholas de Criel had two bucks in the
same forest of the gift of the lord king on the feast * of St Peter's
Chains in the thirty-first year.
The countess of Leicester had ten bucks in the same forest of the
gift of the lord king on the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary <^ in
the same year.
Sir Geoffrey of Langley had two bucks in the same forest of the
gift of the lord king on the feast of St. Lawrence ^ in the same year.
Robert de Mares had one buck in the same forest of the gift of the
lord king about the time of the same feast.
Aymar de Lusignan had ten bucks in the same forest.
In the thirty-second year. Sir Richard, earl of Cornwall, came
into the forest of Rockingham about the time of the feast of the
Assumption of the Blessed Mary,'^ and took beasts in the park and
outside the park at his pleasure in the thirty-second year.
The same earl on his return from the North Country took beasts
in the park and outside the park at his pleasure about the time of the
feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross '^ in the same year.
Sir Simon de Montfort had twelve bucks in the bailiwick of
Rockingham of the gift of the lord king about the time of the feast '^ of
St. Peter's Chains in the thirty-second year.
02 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Dominus Siluester, episcopiis Carlol', habuit ^ in eadem foresta de
dono domini regis ad festum sancti Michaelis ^ anno tricesimo secundo
tres damos.
Anno tricesimo tercio. Dominus rex venit bis in foresta de
Rokingha' circiter festum sancte Katerine ^ anno tricesimo tercio et
cii-citer ad uincula sancti Petri ^ anno tricesimo tercio et cepit bestias
ad placitum.
Dominus Willelmus de Ferariis, comes de Dereby, habuit de dono
domini regis in foresta de Eokingha' quinque damos uiuos et decem
damas uiuas.
Abbas Westmon' habuit in eadem foresta de dono domini regis
octo damas.
Dominus G. de Langeleye habuit in foresta de Rokingham de dono
domini regis duas damas.
Dominus Willehnus de Cantelupo habuit in foresta de Rokingham
tres damos de dono domini regis.
Venacio eapta sine waranto.*
Anno tricesimo. Dominus episcopus Lincoln' cepit in Bolax die ^
Martis proxima ante Natale anno tricesimo vnam bissam et unam
cheuerel.
Dominus Gwydo de Rocheford cepit in parco de Bricstok' in vigilia ^
Purificacionis beate Marie anno eodem vnam damam et vnam broket
dame.
Anno tricesimo primo. Abbas Westmon' cepit in balhua de Ferma
die ** sancti Barnabe apostoh anno tricesimo primo vnum damum et
vnum pricard dami.
Dominus lohannes de Plesset' cepit in Gatesle die ^ sancti Botulfi
abbatis anno eodem vnum damum et vnum broket dami.
Edmundus de Lacy cepit vnum ceruum in balHua de Rokingham
die '° Sabbati proxima ante festum sancte Margarete anno tricesimo
primo.
' By letters close dated 23 May 1248. Charter of the Forest. The right was con-
Close KoU 62, m. 8. fined to ' one or two beasts.'
2 Tuesday, 29 September 1248. « 19 December 124.5.
^ ^Yednesday, 25 November 1248. " Thursday, 1 February 1245.
* Sunday, 1 August 1249. » Tuesday, 11 June 1247.
* The five following paragraphs appa- ^ Monday, 17 June 1247.
rently refer to deer taken by bishops, earls '" 13 July 1247.
and barons, given by article 11 of the
NORTHAMPTOXSIIIRE, A.D. 1248 92
Sir Silvester, bishop of Carlisle, had three bucks in the same forest
of the gift of the lord king on Michaelmas day ^ in the thirty-second
year.
In the thirty- third year. The lord king came twice into the forest
of Rockingham, about the time of the feast of St. Katherine ^ in the
thirty-third year, and about the time of the feast •* of St. Peter's Chains
in the same year ; and he took beasts at his pleasure.
Sir WiUiam de Ferrieres, earl of Derby, had five live bucks
and ten live does of the gift of the lord king in the forest of
Eockingham.
The abbot of Westminster had eight does in the same forest of the
gift of the lord king.
Sir Geoffrey of Langley had two does in the forest of Rockingham
of the gift of the lord king.
Sir William de Chanteloup had three bucks in the forest of Rock-
ingham of the gift of the lord king.
Venison taken without warrant.
In the thirtieth year. The lord bishop of Lincoln took a hind and
a roe in Bulax on the Tuesday ^ next before Christmas Day in the
thirtieth year.
Sir Gui de Rochefort took a doe and a doe's brocket in the park
of Brigstock in the vigil ' of the Purification of the Blessed Mary in the
same year.
In the thirty-first year. The abbot of Westminster took a buck
and a buck's prickett in the Farming bailiwick on the day ^ of St.
Barnabas the Apostle in the thirty-first year.
Sir John du Plessis took a buck and a buck's brocket in Gatesley
on the day ^ of St. Botolph the Abbot in the same year.
Edmund de Lassy took a hart in the bailiwick of Rockingham on
the Saturday •« next before the feast of St. Margaret in the thirty-first
year.
93 SELECT FOEEST IXQUISITIONS
Anno tricesimo secundo. Henricus filius comitis Leycest' cepit
in Bolax die ' sancti Martini anno tricesimo secundo vnum broket
dami.
Gwydo de Eoche^ord cepit in parco de Bricstok' ad festum sancti
Andree ^ vnam broket dami anno eodem.
Dominus lohannes de Plesset cepit in parco de Bricstok' in cras-
tino ^ sancti Nicholai anno eodem cum leporariis suis duas damas.
Abbas Westmon' cepit in parco de Bricstok' in crastino ^ sancti
lacobi anno eodem vnum damum.
Item dominus E. Passel' cepit in balliua de Eokingha' ad
Assumpcionem beate Marie ^ anno eodem duos zouros cerui quos misit
domino regi.
Comes de Aubemarl' cepit ad Eisonebrige die ^ sancti Bricii vnam
damam.
Gwydo de Eocheford cepit vnam broket dame in parco de Bricstok'
circiter festum sancti Mathie apostoli.^
Episcopus Karloliens' cepit vnum damum in balliua de Eokingham
die ^ Sabbati proxima post Ascensionem.
Anno tricesimo tercio. Petrus de Oriual cepit in parco de Bricstok'
septem damos.^
Willelmus de Cantelupo cepit in Barnegraue vnam damam et vnam
broket dame et vnum cheuerel.
Henricus filius comitis Leycest' cepit die '" apostolorum Simonis et
lude anno tricesimo tercio vnam damam et vnum fetonem in balliua
de Rokingha'.
Anno tricesimo quarto. Dictus Gwydo de Eocheford cepit in parco
de Bricstok' die '^ Sabbati proxima post festum Omnium Sanctorum
anno tricesimo quarto duas damas.
Idem Gwydo cepit in campo de Liueden' die^^ Sabbati proxima
ante festum sancti Edmundi anno tricesimo quarto duas damas.
' Monday, 11 November 1247. ^ 30 May 1248.
- Saturday, 30 November 1247. ^ This is the only case in the list in which
' Saturday, 7 December 1247. more than two beasts were taken.
* Sunday, 26 July 1248. '° Wednesday, 28 October 1248.
* Saturday, 15 August 1248. '• 6 November 1249.
« Wednesday, 13 November 1247. '- 13 November 1249.
" Monday, 24 February 124f .
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1247 93
In the thirty-second year. Henry the son of the earl of Leicester
took a buck's brocket in Bulax on St. Martin's day ' in the thirty-second
year.
Gui de Rochefort took a buck's brocket in the park of Brigstock on
the feast of St. Andrew ^ in the same year.
Sir John du Plessis took two does with his greyhounds in the
park of Brigstock on the morrow ^ of St. Nicholas in the same year.
The abbot of Westminster took a buck in the park of Brigstock on
the morrow * of St. James in the same year.
And Sir Robert Passelewe took two hart's soars in the bailiwick
of Rockingham on the day ^" of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary
in the same year ; and he sent them to the lord king.
The count d'Aumale took a doe at Rising Bridge on St. Brice's
day.^
Gui de Rochefort took a doe's brocket in the park of Brigstock
about the feast of St. Matthias the Apostle.^
The bishop of Carhsle took a buck in the bailiwick of Rockingham
on the Saturday * next after Ascension Day.
In the thirty-third year. Peter d'Airvault took seven bucks in the
park of Brigstock.
William de Chanteloup took a doe and a doe's brocket and a roe in
Barnegrave.
Henry the son of the earl of Leicester took a doe and a fawn in
the bailiwick of Rockingham, on the feast ^^ of the Apostles Simon and
Jude in the thirty-third year.
In the thirty-fourth year. The said Gui de Rochefort took two does
in the park of Brigstock on the Saturday '' next after the feast of All
Saints in the thirty-fourth year.
The same Gui took two does in the field of Lyveden on the
Saturday '^ next before the feast of St. Edmund in the thirty-fourth
year.
94 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
XII (b).>
[INQUISICIONES DE UENACIONE IN FORE ST A DE ROCK-
INGHAM TEMPORE HUGONIS DE GOLDINGHAM.]
^Accidit die^ louis in vigilia sanctorum Fabiani et Sebastian!
anno regni regis Henrici tricesimo quinto quod cum Galfridus Hog,
lohannes lue, forestarii domini regis pedites de parco de Brixstok',
iuissent in parco eodem inuenerunt vnam trappam tendatam in Ald-
natheshawe, et audierunt vnum hominem secantem in parco infra
noctem et propter spissitudinem bosci et obscuritatem noctis ad eum
venire non potuerunt. Et propter suspeccionem quam liabuerunt
versus Robertum le Noble de Suburg', capellanum, exierunt boscum
uersus Suburg' ad insidiandum si aliquis exisset de bosco uersus
villam ; ita quod obuiauerunt dicto Roberto capellano qui venit de
bosco et tulit vnam branchiam de viridi quercu, et vnam hachiam in
manu sua. Forestarii uero exigebant ab eo vadium et plegium ; et
ipse non potuit eis plegios inuenire, ita quod eum duxerunt ad villam
de Brixstok' ad domum Roberti le N.^ , . .
Mane . . . forestarii et viridarii iuerunt ad domum suam apud
Suburg' ad cerchiam faciendam ita quod inuenerunt infra domum
suam duas sagittas barbatas sine fleck' et cleyam de quadam trappa
cum corda trappe fracta in duas partes super quam fuit pilus
bestialis.
Catalla ibidem inuenta preciata fuerunt, scilicet, vnus busellus
frumenti de precio quinque denariorum, vnus bussellus fabri de precio
trium denariorum, dimidius bussellus auene precii duorum denariorum,
vna cophia cum discis ciphis et salsariis precii duodecim denariorum,
vna equa precii octo denariorum, renn' ibidem inuent' precii duodecim
denariorum, busca inventa in curia sua, precii sex denariorum.
Summa quatuor solidi.
Hec predicta catalla capta in manu domini regis tradita fuerunt
quatuor hominibus ' de villa de Suburg scilicet Willelmo filio Osmundi,
Roberto Page preposito, Henrico filio Willelmi Dolfyn et Goschelino de
' Forest Proceedings, Trcasiirij of Ec- of them remain to make it clear that
ceipt, No. 65. Robert le Noble escaped from custody.
- See p. 33 above. ' In the eyre roll they are stated to have
^ 19 January 1252. been delivered to Hugh le Noble of Sud-
* A few lines of the MS. are omitted borough,
here because it is damaged. But enough
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 125^ 94
XII (b).
[INQUISITIONS CONCERNING THE VENISON IN THE
FOREST OF ROCKINGHAM, IN THE TIME OF HUGH
OF GOLDINGHAM.]
It happened on Thursday ^ the vigil of Saints Fabian and Sebastian
in the thirty-fifth year that when Geoffrey Hog, and John Ive, the
walking foresters of the lord king of the park of Brigstoek, were on
their way in the same park, they found a trap set in Aldnatheshawe ;
and they heard a man cutting wood by night in the park, and on
account of the thickness of the wood and the darkness of the night
they could not come to him. And on account of the suspicion which
they had against Robert le Noble of Sudborough, chaplain, they left
the wood for Sudborough to watch in concealment to see if anyone
left the wood for the town ; and so they met the said Robert the
chaplain, who came from the wood and carried in his hand a branch
of green oak and an axe. And the foresters demanded gage and
pledge of him ; and he could not find them pledges, and so they took
him to the town of Brigstoek to the house of Robert le N. . . .
In the morning the foresters and verderers went to his house at
Sudborough to make search ; and so they found in his house two
barbed arrows without fletches and the woodwork of a certain trap
with the string of the trap broken into two parts ; and upon the string
was hair from deer.
The chattels found there were appraised, to wit, a bushel of
wheat, of the price of five pence, a bushel of beans of the price of
three pence ; half a bushel of oats of the price of two pence ; a chest
with dishes, cups and saucers of the price of twelve pence, and a
mare of the price of eight pence. A pelice was found there of the
price of twelve pence ; and wood was found in his court of the price of
six pence. Total, four shihings.
The aforesaid chattels, which were taken into the hands of the lord
king, were given to four men of the town of Sudborough, to wit,
William the son of Osmund, Robert Page the reeve, Henry the son of
95 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Dene ut respondeant de precio coram iusticiariis itmerantibus de
foresta.
Corda fracta et cleya de trappa commisse fuerunt predictis quatuor
hominibus ad tenendum coram iusticiariis.
Due sagitte fracte commisse fuerunt Eicardo de Audewincle,
viridario, ad tenendum coram iusticiariis.
Peia de trappa inuenta in bosco tendata cum tota corda commissa
fuit Mauricio de Solario de Brixstok' ad tenendum coram iusticiariis.
Per breue ; ^ quatuor damas. Edmundus de Lascy cepit vnam
damam in balliua de firma de Brixstok' in crastino ^ Purificacionis
beate Marie anno eodem de dono domini regis.
Idem Edmundus cepit vnam bissam in eadem balliua die ^ Mer-
curii proxima sequenti.
Idem Edmundus cepit vnam damam in eadem balliua die * Sabbati
proxima sequenti.
Idem Edmundus cepit vnam damam in balliua de parco die ' Lune
proxima sequenti.
Per breue ; ^' tres damas. Vxor domini G. de Langel', iusticiarii
foreste, fecit capere vnam damam in balliua de Eokingh' die " Lune
proxima post Octabas Purificacionis beate Marie anno eodem ; et
vnam damam in balliua de parco die *^ Mercurii proxima sequenti ;
et vnam damam in eadem balliua die ^ louis proxima sequenti de dono
domini regis.
'" Accidit die " Lune in crastino Palmarum anno eodem quod, cum
dominus Hugo de Goldingham, senescallus foreste, et Eogerus de
Tyngewic, forestarius eques, venerunt de Carleton' post prandium ad
introitum bosci Eoberti de Hotoft, perceperunt vnum hominem equitem
et vnum garcionem ipsum sequentem cum arcu et sagittis, qui statim
' By letters close dated 2 November 1250 (No. 6-5, ra. 21) the letters are enrolled, but
the king gave him four does from the forest the word Feckenham is crossed out and
of Rockingham, which, however, were not Rockingham written above it. In the mar-
to be taken from Beanfield Lawn or Ged- gin are the words ' quia aliter in anno
dington Grove. Clope Roll 65, m. 25. sequent!.' In the following year the king
- Friday, 3 February 125". granted her by letters close dated 25 July
•■' 8 February 125^. l252 three bucks in the forest of Fecken-
> U February 125?. ham. (Close Roll 66, m. 9.)
= 13 February 125?. ' 13 February 1252.
•* By letters close dated 9 .January 125^ " 15 February 125?.
the king granted to her three does from the ' 16 February 125f.
forest of Feckenham. In the close roll '" See p. 33 above. " 10 April 1251.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 125^ 95
William Dolfyn and Jocelin of Deene, to answer for their price before
the justices in eyre of the forest.
The broken string and the woodwork of the trap were given to the
aforesaid four men to produce before the justices.
The two broken arrows were given to Eichard of Aldwinkle, the
verderer, to produce before the justices.
The snare of the trap which was found set in the wood together
with all the string was given to Maurice de Solers of Brigstock to
produce before the justices.
By writ ; four does. Edmund de Lassy took a doe in the bailiwick
of Brigstock Farming on the morrow ^ of the Purification of the Blessed
Mary in the same year, of the gift of the lord king.
The same Edmund took a hind in the same baihwick on the
Wednesday ^ next following.
The same Edmund took a doe in the same bailiwick on the
Saturday ^ next following.
The same Edmund took a doe in the bailiwick of the park on the
Monday '' next following.
By writ ; three does. The wife of Sir Geoffrey of Langley, the
justice of the forest, caused a doe to be taken in the bailiwick of
Rockingham on the Monday ^ next after the Octave of the Purification
of the Blessed Mary in the same year ; and a doe in the bailiwick of
the park on the Wednesday - next following ; and a doe in the same
bailiwick on the Thursday ^ next following, of the gift of the lord king.
It happened on Monday " the morrow of Palm Sunday in the
same year, that when Sir Hugh of Goldingham, the steward of the
forest, and Roger of Tingewick, the riding forester, came from Carlton
after dinner to the entrance of the wood of Robert of Huttoft, they
perceived a man on horseback and a page following him with a bow
and arrows, who forthwith fled. Wherefore he was hailed on account
96 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
fugiit. Ynde propter fugam exclamatus de dictis H. et R., et secutus
est, et captus infra coopertum. Dictus homo eques fugiendo captus
fuit extra coopertum supertunica sua sanguinolenta et reuersa. Que-
situs fuit vnde ille sanguis fuit, et ipse cognouit quod fuit de quodam
cheuerello quern occidit, et ad quern cheuerellum reduxit dictum H.
senescallum et Eogerum. Idem captus vocatus Eogerus Eussel de
Asseweir, et garcio suus Willelmus filius Osberti de Seluiston' ; et
ambo missi fuerunt ad prisonam Norhamt'. Et vicecomes dominus
Robertus Basset.
Arcus suus de if, et due sagitte barbate et tres sagitte genderese>
et cutis dicti cheuerelli commisse fuerunt lohanni Luuet, viridario,
tenende coram iusticiariis foreste.
' Accidit die ^ Dominica proxima post Inuencionem sancte Crucis
anno eodem quod Robertus de Corby et Galfridus Gos de eadem,
et Robertus filius Godefridi le Dene de eadem, rettati de malefacto
venacionis in foresta domini regis de Rokingham, capti fuerunt
circa mediam noctem per dominum H. Goldingbam, senescallum
foreste, et Rogerum de Tyngewic. In domo dicti Roberti de
Corby inuente fuerunt tresdecim sagitte wallenses sine arcu. In
domo Galfridi Gos inuenta fuerunt vna pecia venacionis vnius dami
supra carectam ; et vna pecia venacionis vnius dame de costa, et
vnus arcus cum corda, et septem sagitte barbate et vna parua
sagitta et quinque fleck'.
Dicti tres malefactores retenti fuerunt et missi ad prisonam
Norhampt'. Tunc vicecomes dominus Robertus Basset.^
Arcus cum corda et sagitte et fleck' et venacio commissi fuerunt
lohanni Luuet, viridario, ad tenendum coram iusticiariis.
Accidit die"* Pentecostes anno eodem quod duo homines cum
arcubus et sagittis venerunt ante horam nonam de bosco de Twiwell'
transseuntes usque le Rokes cum duobus leporariis, quorum vnus fuit
niger couueire et alter fauf vestitus et vnus mastinus niger et sic
transsierunt usque Hassokes et ceperunt ibidem vnam dam am ; et
postea redierunt usque Acwellsyk' et ibi vniti fuerunt septem homines
pedites et vnus homo eques et vnus garcio, qui duxit dictam venacio-
nem super alium equum nigrum foliis et ramis coopertam, et octo
leporarii, Et exierunt apud Heck' de Suburg' tendentes uersus
' See p. 33 above. ^ See p. 34, note 2.
■' 7 May 1251. ♦ 4 June 1251.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.I). 12/51 96
of his flight by the said Hugh and Kogev ; and he was followed and
taken within the covert. The said man on horseback was taken, as
be fled, outside the covert with his surcoat bloody and turned inside
out. He was asked whence that blood came ; and he confessed that
it came from a certain roe, which he had killed ; and he brought the
said Hugh the steward and Koger back to the roe. The man who
was taken was called Roger Eussell of Ashwell ; and his page William
the son of Osbert of Silverstone. And both were sent to the prison of
Northampton ; and the sheriff was then Sir Robert Basset.
His bow of yew and three barbed arrows and three ' genderese '
arrows and the skin of th& said roe were given to John Lovet, the
verderer, to produce before the justices of the forest.
It happened on the Sunday - next after the Invention of the Holy
Cross in the same year that Robert of Corby and Geoffrey Gos of the
same town and Robert the son of Godfrey le Dene of the same town,
who were suspected of an evil deed to the venison in the lord king's
forest of Rockingham, were taken about midnight by Sir Hugh of
Goldingham, the steward of the forest, and Roger of Tingewick. In the
house of the said Robert of Corby were found thirteen Welsh arrows
without a bow. In the house of Geoffrey Gos was found a piece of
venison from a buck upon a cart, and a piece of venison from the side
of a buck, and a bow with a string, and seven barbed arrows, and a
small arrow and five fletches.
The said three evil doers were detained and sent to the prison of
Northampton, the sheriff being then Sir Robert Basset.
The bow with the string and the arrows and the fletches and the
venison were entrusted to John Lovet, the verderer, to produce before
the justices.
It happened on Whitsunday * in the same year that two men with
bows and arrows came before the ninth hour from the wood of
Twywell making their way to le Rokes, with two greyhounds, of which
one was black brindled and the other fallow covered and a black mastiff ;
and so they made their way as far as Hassokes ; and they took there
a doe. And afterwards they returned to Acwehsike, and there seven
men on foot and one on horseback and a page, who brought the said
venison covered with leaves and boughs on another black horse, and
eight greyhounds, joined them. And they left Sudborough at Heck'
97 SELECT FOREST IXQUISITIOXS
Cattesheuyd' et sic intrauerimt boscum de Suburg'. Eodem uero die
lohannes Balun et Galfridus Hog, forestarii pedites de parco, venerunt
de Brixstok' apud Tostisbeuyd et ibi inuenerunt intrallium vnius
dame.
lohannes Spigurnel, forestarius eqiies,^ et lohannes Bahni et
Galfridus Hog et Walterus Trailers, forestarii pedites, dicunt per sacra-
mentum suum quod suspeccionem habent de malefacto illo versus
Willelmum de Drayton' et socios suos, quos non noscunt.
Postea die ^ Sabbati in vigilia sancte Trinitatis, conuocatis foresta-
riis, viridariis coram domino H. de Goldingh', senescallo foreste,
apud Acwellesik' et villatis ibidem propinquioribus, scihcet, Brixstok',
Suburg', Grafton' cum SHpton', Lufwic et Islepp' ad inquirendum qui
ilH malefactores fuerunt et vnde venerunt, et quo redierunt.
Brixtok', iurata, nichil scit.
Suburg', iurata, nichil scit.
Grafton', iurata, nichil scit.
Slipton', iurata, nichil scit.
Lufwic et Islep', iurata, nichil scit.
Henricus filius lohannis de Suburg', pastor ouium, dicit quod
sicut sedebat ad prandium suum die Pentecostes subtus hayam in
campo de Suburg' et cum eo Willelmus filius Vannarii et Willelmus
Eussel, custodes aueriorum ville de Suburg', et Eogerus Lubbe de
Deneford, custos vaccarum domini, socii sui pastores, venit Willelmus
de Drayton' per eos cum arcu et sagittis in vna tunica de viridi hauye ;
et duo alii venerunt cum eo cum arcubus et sagittis quos non
nouit.
Dicit eciam quod post ipsos venit vnus homo eques super quendam
equum nigrum ducentem ante eum in gremio suo vnum fetonem ; et
venacionem duxit subtus eum foliis coopertam.
Dicit eciam quod post ipsos venerunt duo garciones ducentes octo
leporarios quorum quidam fuerunt albi, quidam teyngres ^ et quidam
rubei.
Dicit eciam quod Eogerus Lubbe, custos vaccarum domini, surrexit
et locutus fuit cum dictis malefactoribus et eos duxit usque Denrode.
Dicit eciam quod bene credit quod dictum Eogerus Lubbe cognouit
dictos malefactores,
Willelmus filius Vannarii diligenter examinatus per se in omnibus
concordat cum Henrico filio lohannis de Suburg', socio suo, primo
iurato.
Eogerus Lubbe et Willelmus Eussel, iurati, nichil voluerunt cog-
' MS. ' equites.' - 10 June 1251. ^ This word is so extended in the roll.
NOETHAxMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1251 97
going towards Cat's Head, and so they went into the wood of Siid-
borough. And on the same day John Bahin and Geoffrey Hog, the
walking foresters of the park, came out of Brigstock at Tot's Head,
and there they found the entrails of a doe.
John Spigurnel, the riding forester, and John Balun and Geoffrey
Hog and Walter Travers, walking foresters, say upon their oath that
they suspect William of Drayton, and his companions, whom they do
not know, of that evil deed.
Afterwards on Saturday ^ the vigil of the Holy Trinity the foresters
and verderers were assembled before Hugh of Goldingham, the
steward of the forest, at Acwellsike, and also the townships neigh-
bouring thereto, to wit, Brigstock, Sudborough, Grafton with Slipton,
Lowick, and Islip, to ascertain who those evil doers were, and whence
they came and whither they returned.
Brigstock is sworn and knows nothing.
Sudborough is sworn and knows nothing,
Grafton is sworn and knows nothing.
Slipton is sworn and knows nothing.
Lowick and Islip are sworn and know nothing.
Henry the son of John of Sudborough, shepherd, says that as he
was sitting on Whitsunday at his dinner under a hedge in the field
of Sudborough, together with William the son of the winnower and
William Russel, herdsmen of the beasts of the plough of the town of
Sudborough, and Eoger Lubbe of Denford, herdsman of the cows of
the lord, his fellows, William of Drayton came past them in a tunic
of green hue with a bow and arrows ; and two other men, whom he
did not know, came with bows and arrows.
He says also that a man mounted on a black horse came after
them carrj'ing a fawn in front of him on his lap, and he carried
venison behind him covered with leaves.
He says also that two pages came after them leading eight grey-
hounds, of which some were white, some tawny and some red.
He says also that Roger Lubbe, the herdsman of the lord's cows
got up and spoke with the said evil doers, and led them to Denrode.
He says also that he fully believes that Roger Lubbe recognised
the said evil doers.
William the son of the winnower is carefully examined and
agrees in all respects with Henry the son of John of Sudborough, who
was first sworn.
Roger Lubbe and William Russel, are sworn and wish to acknow-
98 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
noscere, et icieo commissi fuerunt in ballium toti villate de Suburg',
que eos manucepit producendos ubique ad pacem domini regis.
Dominus lohannes de Lessington' transiuit per mediam forestam
de Rokingham die ' Veneris infra Pentecosten anno eodem, et eepit in
ea duos damos et unura brokettum dami.
Henricus de Monte forti in vigilia ^ sancte Margarete anno eodem
cepit vnam damam cum leporariis suis et vnum brokettum dami cum
bersa in eadem foresta.
Per breue ; ^ tres damos. Dominus Elias de Rabayn cepit vnum
damum in parco de Brixstok' die "* louis post Decollacionem sancti
lohannis Baptiste anno eodem.
Idem Elias cepit eodem die in eodem parco vnum brokettum de
ceruo.
Idem Elias cepit vnum ceruum apud Hassokes die ^ louis proxima
ante festum sancti Michaelis anno eodem.
Idem Elias cepit vnum zourum dami in Gatesle eodem die.
Dominus Galfridus de Langel' fecit capere cum mota sua in
pinguedine anno eodem ad lardarium domini regis in foresta de
Rokingham triginta et quatuor damos et vnum zourum cerui.
Henricus de Monte forti cepit vnum brokettum dami cum leporariis
suis in vigilia '' sancti Luce Ewangeliste anno eodem in foresta de
Rokingham.
^ Inquisicio facta apud Rotewell' die ^ Dominica proxima post festum
sancti Michaelis anno eodem super capcionem vnius cerui capti inter
boscum de Rowell' et boscum de Riston' die ^ Natiuitatis beate Marie
anno eodem per villatas subscriptas, scilicet, Deresburg', Riston',
Clendon', Rowell', Torp sub bosco et Neubotle.
Deresburg', iurata, dicit per sacramentum suum quod dominus
R. de Clare, comes Glouern', fuit apud Rowell' predicto die Natiuitate
beate Marie et post prandium iuit ad boscum suum de Miclewode et
' 9 June 1251. * 31 August 1251.
- Wednesday, 19 July 1251. ^ 28 September 1251.
3 By letters close dated 28 August 1251, « Tuesday, 17 October 1251.
and addressed to the warden of the forest of ' See p. 34 above.
Geddington, the king granted three bucks * 1 October 1251.
to Elias de Eabain. (Close Eoll G5, m. 5.) " 8 September 1251.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1251 98
ledge nothing; and therefore they were committed on bail to the
township of Sudborough, which undertakes to produce them every-
where for the peace of the lord king.
Sir John of Lessington passed through the middle of Eockingham
forest on the Friday ^ in Whitsun week in the same year, and took in
it two bucks and a buck's brocket.
Henry de Montfort took on the vigil ^ of St. Margaret in the same
year a doe with his greyhounds, and a buck's brocket with a bercelet
in the same forest.
By writ ; three bucks. Sir Elias de Eabayn took a buck in Brig-
stock park on the Thursday ^ after the Decollation of St. John the
Baptist in the same year.
The same Elias took a hart's brocket on the same day in the same
park.
The same Elias took a hart at Hassokes on the Thursday ^ next
before the feast of St. Michael in the same year.
The same Elias took a buck's soar in Gatesley on the same day.
Sir Geoffrey of Langley caused to be taken with his pack in the
forest of Eockingham for the larder of the lord king thirty-four bucks
and a hart's soar in time of grease in the same year.
Henry de Montfort took a buck's brocket with his greyhounds in
the forest of Eockingham on the vigil ^ of St. Luke the Evangelist in
the same year.
An inquisition was made at Eothwell on the Sunday ® next after the
feast of St. Michael in the same year upon the taking of a hart
between the wood of Eothwell and the wood of Eushton on the day ^ of
the Nativity of the Blessed Mary by the four underwritten townships,
to wit, Desborough, Eushton, Glendon, Eothwell, Thorpe Underwood,
and Newbottle.
Desborough is sworn and says upon its oath that Sir Eichard
of Clare, earl of Gloucester, was at Eothwell on the aforesaid day of
the Nativity of the Blessed Mary, and after dinner he went into his
99 SELECT FOEEST INQUISITIONS
in eo discopulauit duos brachettos de mota sua ; et inuenit vnum
ceruum, qui timore canum exiuit de bosco uersus forestam, et captus fuit
cum leporariis dicti comitis in campo de Deresburg' supra Kotewell'.
Dicit eciam quod predicte capcioni interfuit Henricus de Hastynges
cum octo leporariis suis qui cucurrerunt.
Dicit eciam quod Eobertus de Mares interfuit cum tribus
leporariis suis qui cucurrerunt.
Dicit eciam quod dominus Eobertus Basset interfuit cum tribus
leporariis suis qui non cucurrerunt.
Dicit eciam quod dominus E. de Longo campo interfuit cum
domino comite.
Dicit eciam quod lohannes Luuet de Eiston', viridarius, interfuit.
Dicit eciam quod villata de Eowell' plenarie fecit stabliam circa
boscum de Eowell' quando ceruus exiuit.
Eiston', iurata, in omnibus concordat cum Deresburg' prime
iurata.
Clendon', iurata, in omnibus concordat cum villatis predictis, primo
iuratis.
Eoweir, Torp, Neubotle summonite fuerunt et non venerunt.
Viridarii dicunt quod leporarii domini Eoberti Basset cucurrerunt
ad ceruum et quod idem Eobertus babuit vnum latus predicti cerui.
^ Accidit die 2 Mercurii proxima post festum sancti Michaelis anno
eodem quod lacobus de Thurleberg', Thomas de Ispan' et Eobertus de
Wik', venatores domini G. de Langel', iusticiarii foreste, et alii cum eis
intrauerunt boscum de firma de Brixstok' post prandium ita quod
obuiauerunt quibusdam malefactoribus in foresta cum arcubus et
sagittis, per estimacionem duodecim, qui duxerunt tres canes in lieno
quorum vnus fuit niger et alter ruffus cum auribus stantinis^ et
tercius tetchelatus albedine et nigredine. Venatores vero statim
exclamauerunt eos et ad invicem sagittauerunt. Duo vero de male-
factoribus exierunt de societate sua et ceperunt Eobertum de Wik',
vbi stetit ad lignum^ suum, et cum venatores multitudini eorum
obstare non potuerunt discesserunt.
Postea die-^ Sabbati proxima post festum sancti Dionisii anno
' See p. 32 above. ' 4 October 1257. * This expression should be compared
^ The translation of this word is con- with ' ad fusta sua ' on p. 80 above,
jectural. * 14 October 1257.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1251 99
wood of Micklewood and uncoupled in it two braches from his pack ;
and he found a hart, which from fear of the hounds came out of the
wood towards the forest, and was taken by the greyhounds of the said
earl in the field of Desborough above Rothwell.
It says also that Henry of Hastings was present at the aforesaid
taking with his eight greyhounds, which ran in pursuit.
It says also that Eobert de Mares was present with his three
greyhounds, which ran in pursuit.
It says also that Sir Robert Basset was present with his three
greyhounds, which did not run in pursuit.
It says also that Sir Eobert de Longchamp was present with
the lord earl.
It says also that John Lovet of Eushton, the verderer, was
present.
It says also that the township of Eothwell in large numbers beset
the wood of Eothwell when the hart came out.
Eushton is sworn and in all respects agrees with Desborough,
which was first sworn.
Glendon is sworn and in all things agrees with the aforesaid town-
ships, which were first sworn.
Eothwell, Thorpe and Newbottle were summoned and did not
come.
The verderers say that the greyhounds of Sir Eobert Basset ran
after the hart and that the same Eobert had a side of the aforesaid
hart.
It happened on the Wednesday ^ next after the feast of St. Michael
in the same year that James of Thurlbear, Thomas of Spain, and
Eobert of Wick, the hunters of Sir Geoffrey of Langley, the
justice of the forest, and others with them went into the Farming
wood of Brigstock after dinner and met certain persons doing evil in
the forest with bows and arrows, estimated at the number of twelve,
And they led three dogs in a leash, of which one was black, a second
red with ears erect, and the third ticked with white and black.
And the huntsmen forthwith hailed them ; and they shot arrows at
one another. And two of the evil doers came out of their band and
seized Eobert of Wick, as he stood at his tree ; and when the
hunters could not resist them on account of their number, they
went away.
Afterwards on the Saturday ^ next after the feast of St. Denis in
100 SELECT FOEEST INQUISITIONS
eodem, conuocatis forestariis, viridariis, scilicet, dominis Mauricio
Daundely,IohanneLuuet,Eicardo de Audowincle et Hugonede Granesl'
et villatis ibidem propinquioribus, scilicet, Brixstok', Stanerne,
Welledon', Benifeld', Vpthorp, Chirchefeld', Lyueden' coram domino
H. de Goldingliam, senescallo foreste, in claris de Welledon' apud
Wrennemere ad inquirendum qui illi malefactores fuerunt et vnde
venerunt et quo redierunt.
Brixstok', iurata, dixit quod bene audiuit dicere quod malefactores
fuerunt eadem hora in eodem bosco ; set nescit qui illi fuerunt, nee
vnde nee quo redierunt.
Stanerne, iurata, dicit idem.
Welledon', iurata, dicit [idem].^
Benifeld' et Vpthorp, iurate, dicunt idem.
Chirchefeld', iurata, dicit idem.
Lyueden', iurata, dicit idem.
Eicardus le Harpur de Vptorp, iuratus, dicit quod bene intelligit
quod Willelmus Dispensar' domini Nicholai de Bassingburn' ibi fuit,
et hac racione,^ quia eodem die obuiauit cuidam garcioni domini
Nicholai venienti de bosco et portanti vnum barillum vacuum et vnum
panyer' et interogauit eum vnde venit et ipse dixit quod de carpen-
tario domini sui.
Dicit eciam quod Willelmus filius lohannis Helle et Willelmus de
Houcton', qui sunt de familia domini Nicholai de Bassingburn', ibi
fuerunt.
Dicit eciam quod Eobertus de Feugeres, qui solet esse valletus
domini Nicholai, ibi fuit ; et adhuc vadit et venit et manet in comitatu
Cantebr' apud Abbyngton'.
Dicit eciam quod Colinus de Carleby in Glapthorn' et Eicardus de
Pateshiir nepos eiusdem Colini in eadem villa ibi fuerunt.
Dicit eciam quod Willelmus seruiens persone de Benifeld' non fuit
ibi, quia nichil scit de bosco, et quia illi de familia domini Nicholai
ipsum odio habent et ipse nunquam associatus fuit eis.
Dicit eciam quod Alanus Cut non fuit cum eis nee tunc nee alias,
quia non est associatus eis,
Dicit eciam quod Eadulfus de Susex' et Eobertus de Ardern',
forestarii, non fuerunt ibi quia eodem die visi fuerunt in villa de
Brixstok' ad altam nonam ; et post prandium, quando venatores
obuiauerunt malefactoribus, visi fuerunt apud Stanerne ad domum
domini Henrici de Den et ibi pernoctauerunt ; et hoc testificatum fuit
' This word is omitted in the MS. his statement is probably not fully en-
^ His reason is not very conclusive, but rolled.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1251 100
the same year, the foresters and verderers, to wit, Sirs Maurice
Daundelay, John Lovet, Richard of Aldwinkle, and Hugh of Cransley,
and the townships neighbouring thereto, to wit, Brigstock, Stanion,
Weldon, Benefield, Upthorp, Churchfield and Lyveden, were assembled
before Sir Hugh of Goldingham, the steward of the forest, in the
clearing of Weldon at Wrennemere, to ascertain who those evil doers
were, and whence they came, and whither they returned.
Brigstock was sworn and said that full well it had heard it said
that evil doers were in the forest at the same hour and in the same
wood ; but it does not know who they were, nor whence they came, nor
whither they returned.
Stanion is sworn and says the same.
Weldon is sworn and says the same.
Benefield and Upthorp are sworn and say the same.
Churchfield is sworn and says the same.
Lyveden is sworn and says the same.
Eichard the Harper of Upthorp is sworn and says that he well
understands that William the spenser of Sir Nicholas of Bassing-
bourn was there, and for this reason because on the same day, he met
a certain page of Sir Nicholas coming from the wood and carrying
an empty barrel and a basket ; and he asked him whence he came ;
and he said that he came from the carpenter of his lord.
He says also that William the son of John Helle and William of
Houghton, who are of the household of Sir Nicholas of Bassingbourn,
were there.
He says also that Robert de Feugeres, who used to be the yeoman
of Sir Nicholas, was there ; and he still goes to and fro, and dwells
in the country of Cambridge, at Abingdon.
He says also that Colin of Carlby in Glapthorn and Richard of
Pattishall, the nephew of the same Colin in the same town, were there.
He says also that William, the servant of the parson of Benefield,
was not there, because he knows nothing of the wood, and because
the men of the household of Sir Nicholas hold him in hatred, and
he was never associated to them.
He says also that Alan Cut was not there with them neither then
nor at any other time, because he is not associated to them.
He says also that Ralph of Sussex and Robert of Ardern, the
foresters, were not there, because they were seen on the same day at
full noon in the town of Brigstock ; and after dinner when the hunts-
men met the evil doers they were seen at Stanion at the house of
Sir Henry of Deene, and they spent the night there. And this was
101 SELECT FOEEST INQUISITIONS
per viridarios et per omnes villatas per sacramentum suum. Et
Ricardus de Audewincl', viridarius, dicit per sacramentum suum
quod illi duo fores tarii fuerunt cum eo eodem die a mane usque ad
nonam.
Dicit eciam quod vigilia ^ Exaltacionis sancte Crucis anno regni
regis tricesimo quarto iuit in bosco querere porcos suos et obuiauit
Willelmo Despens' et salutauit eum.
Et "Willelmus respondit : — ' Non saluto te.'
* Quare ? '
* Quia furasti damum nostrum.'
' Non certe,' dixit.
' Ricarde, ego mallem ire ad carucam meam quam seruire de tali
officio.'
Et postea quesitus fuit ille damus et inuentus fuit salatus in
domo Hugonis lustise de Vpthorp, hominis domini Nicholai, et ipse
quando sciuit, tantum distrinxit dictum Hugonem quod reddidit ei
dictum damum.
Hugo de Goldingham, senescallus foreste, et forestarii et \dridarii
statim processerunt apud Benifeld' et cerchiauerunt domos domini
Nicholai de Bassingburn' et nichil inuenerunt de malefacto foreste ;
set Eobertus de Wik' dixit quod vidit in eadem curia illos duos
malefactores qui eum ceperunt ad lignum ^ suum, scilicet, Willelmum
de Houtton' et lobannem filium Eicardi prepositi de Lilleford'.
lobannes Luuet, vii'idarius, et quidam forestarius cum eo pro-
cesserunt apud Glaptborn et cerchiauerunt domum Nicolai ^ de Carleby,
et inuenerunt in ea vnum arcum cum corda et viginti sagittas
walenses et glandem per estimacionem dimidii quarterii.
Arcus et sagitte remanserunt ^ in manibus lohannis Luuet, viridarii,
ad tenendum coram iusticiariis.
Plegii Willelmi Dispen' respondendi coram iusticiariis itiner-
antibus de foresta. . . . ■'
Plegii Willelmi de Houtton' : — Eobertus filius Eogeri, Henricus
Faber, Galfridus Megr', Eobertus Kydenot, Henricus Kyte, lordanus
de Vpthorp', Willelmus filius prepositi, Hugo filius Matilde, Eobertus
filius Inge, Walterus^ filius Alani, Benedictus Sutor et Eobertus
Maydyn
Plegii Hugonis lustis' ■'. . .
Plegii Willelmi Helle ^ . .
Plegii lohannis filii Eicardi prepositi de Lilleford' ^ . .
' Tuesday, 13 September 1250. ■* MS. ' remiserunt.'
* See note 4, p. 99 above. * Twelve names.
■■' He is called Colinus on p. 34 above. « He is called Willelmus on p. 34 above.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1251 101
witnessed by the verderers and by all the townships upon their oath.
And Kichard of Aldwinlde, the verderer, says upon his oath that those
two foresters were with him on the same day from morn till noon.
He says also that on the vigil ' of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
in the thirty-fourth year of the reign of the king he went into the
wood to seek his pigs ; and he met William the spenser and greeted
him.
And William replied : ' I do not greet you.'
* Why not ? '
* Because you stole our buck.'
* Certainly not,' he said.
' Kichard ! I would rather go to my plough than serve in such an
office as yours.'
And afterwards that buck was sought, and found salted in the
house of Hugh Justice of Upthorp, the man of Sir Nicholas ; and
he, when he knew it, distrained the said Hugh so much that he
returned the said buck to him.
Hugh of Goldingham, the steward of the forest, and the foresters
and verderers forthwith proceeded to Benefield, and searched the
houses of Sir Nicholas of Bassingbourn, and they found no tokens
of evil deeds to the venison. But Eobert of Wick said that he saw in
the same court the two evil doers who took him to their tree, to wit,
William of Houghton and John the son of Eichard of Lilford.
John Lovet, the verderer, and a certain forester with him, pro-
ceeded to Glapthorn and searched the house of Nicholas of Carlby ;
and they found in it a bow with a string, and twenty Welsh arrows,
and mast estimated at half a quarter.
The bow and the arrows remained in the hands of John Lovet, the
verderer, to produce before the justices.
Pledges of William the spenser, answering before the justices in
eyre of the forest . . .
Pledges of William of Houghton, Robert the son of Roger, Henry
the smith, Geoffrey Meagre, Robert Kydenot, Henry Kyte, Jordan of
Upthorp, Wihiam the son of the reeve, Hugh the son of Maud,
Robert the son of Inge, Walter the son of Alan, Bennet the cobbler
and Eobert Mayden.
Pledges of Hugh Justice . . .
Pledges of William Helle . . .
Pledges of John, the son of Richard the reeve of Lilford . . .
102 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Plegii Radulfi de Susex' '. . .
Plegii Alani Cut ^ . .
Plegii Robertus de Ardern' ^ . .
Plegii Colini de Carleby in Glapthorn ^. . .
Plegii Ricardi de Pateshill' in eadem ^. . .
lohannes Spigurnel, forestarius eques de parco de Brixstok', pre-
sentauit quod sicut venit de swanimoto de Stanerne die ^ Mercurii
proxima ante festum sancti Micliaelis, et cum eo Robertus Page, custos
de Acwellesyke, viderunt in Gatesle duos malefactores foreste cum
arcubus et sagittis qui tractauerunt ad eos tres sagittas ; et iuerunt
uersus spissum de Aybriotbeshawe ; vnde dicunt per sacramentum
suum quod vnus illorum duorum fuit Dawe filius Mabille de Suburg'
et alius habuit vnam viseriam super capud suum vnde suspeccionem
habuerunt quod ille fuit Willelmus de Drayton' et eo maiore, quia
alias rettatus fuit de malefacto in foresta. Dictus Willelmus de
Drayton' cum nullo est assidue, set aliquando hie, aliquando illuc.
Et ideo predictus Dawe atachiatus fuit et inuenit duodecim plegios
respondendi coram iusticiariis, scilicet ^. . . .
Anno tricesimo sexto. Henricus de Monte forti cepit duas damas
in landa de Banefeld' cum leporariis suis die '' Mercurii proxima post
Ephifaniam anno regni regis Henrici tricesimo sexto.
Dominus rex venit apud Geytington' die^ louis proxima post
festum sancti Hillarii anno eodem, et regina similiter ; et per-
hendinauerunt usque diem ^ Martis proximam sequentem et ceperunt
venacionem ad voluntatem suam in foresta.
Per breue ; ^ tres damas. Dominus lohannes de Plessiz, comes
Warwik', cepit vnam damam in Bulex cum leporariis suis die ^
Mercurii in vigilia Conuersionis sancti Pauly anno eodem.
Idem comes cepit vnum brokettum dami in vigilia ^ Purificacionis
beate Marie in eodem bosco.
Idem comes cepit vnam damam et vnum brokettum dami et
vnum fetonem in eodem bosco in crastino '° sancte Katherine Virginia
cum leporariis suis.
' Ten names. the king granted to the Earl of Warwick
2 Twelve names. ' 25 September 1251. three does. Close Eoll 66, m. 27.
" 10 January 125|. * 24 January 125^.
* 18 January 125|. ' Thursday, 1 February 125|.
« 23 January 125i. '" Sunday, 26 November 1251.
' By letters close dated 5 January 125^
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.U. 1251 102
Pledges of Ralph of Sussex . . .
Pledges of Alan Cut . . .
Pledges of Eobert of Ardern ...
Pledges of Colin of Carlby in Glapthorn . . .
Pledges of Richard of Pattishall . . .
John Spigurnel, the riding forester of Brigstock park, presented
that as he came from the swanimote of Stanion on the Wednesday ^
next before the feast of St. Michael together with Robert Page, the
keeper of Acwellsike, they saw two evil doers to the forest with bows
and arrows, who shot three arrows at them ; and they went towards
the thicket of Aybriotheshawe. And they say upon their oath that one
of those two evil doers was Dawe, the son of Mabel of Sudborough ;
and that the other had a mask over his head, wherefore they sus-
pected that he was William of Drayton, and more especially because
he was accused before of an evil deed in the forest. The said William
of Drayton is with no one constantly, and is sometimes in one place
and sometimes another. And therefore the aforesaid Dawe was
attached, and he found twelve pledges of making answer before the
justices, to wit ....
In the thirty-sixth year. Henry de Montfort took two does in
Beanfield lawn with his greyhounds on the Wednesday * next after
the Epiphany in the thirty-sixth year of the reign of king Henry.
The lord king came to Geddington on the Thursday ^ next after the
feast of St. Hilary in the same year ; and the queen also. And they
tarried there till the Tuesday " next following ; and they took venison
in the forest at their pleasure.
By writ ; three does. Sir John du Plessis, earl of Warwick, took
a doe in Bulax with his greyhounds on Wednesday, the vigil * of the
Conversion of St. Paul in the same year.
The same earl took a buck's brocket on the vigil " of the Purifica-
tion of the Blessed Mary in the same wood.
The same earl took a doe and a buck's brocket and a fawn with
his greyhounds in the same wood on the morrow '" of St. Katharine the
virgin.
103 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
^ In crastino ^ Conuersionis sancti Pauli homines magistri Paulini ^
et Petri de Stanford', scilicet, Petrus de Froggemor et Johannes de
Sumerset' ceperunt duas damas et vnum fetonem in Hassokes cum
leporariis suis anno eodem.
Inquisicio ^ facta die ^ Veneris proxima post Conuersionem sancti
Pauh anno eodem suh parco de Stok' proprius ^ la Merehecke super
capcionem vnius fere domini regis capte, per quatuor villatas, scilicet,
Stok', Wilberdeston', Brampton', Deresburg', coram lohanne Luuet,
viridario, et forestariis iuratis.
Stok', iurata, dicit quod Thomas filius Simonis de Nauesby de
Brampton', hostiarius de capella domini regis, venit apud Brampton',
et quidam clericus francus de elemosinaria domini regis cum eo, die ^
Dominica pvoxima ante festum sancti Vincencii videre patrem suum
qui infirmabatur et languidus fuit, et ea nocte cum dicto Simone
hospitabantur. Dictus clericus francus cum eo duxit quinque lepor-
arios duos fauos duos ruffos et vnum nigrum coueire. Mane illinc
recessit dictus clericus francus cum leporariis predictis et ilium habet
suspectum de capcione illius bestie et non alium, quia dictus Thomas
filius Simonis cum patre suo remansit.
Wilb', iurata, dicit idem.
Brampton,' iurata, dicit idem et in omnibus concordat predictis
\illatis.
Deresburg', iurata, dicit idem.
Petrus Coleuiir et Eicardus Coleuill' manucapiunt villatas de
Stok' et Wilberdeston' essendi inde coram iusticiariis.
Thomas Seruiens et Thomas de Dyngel' manucapiunt villatam de
Brampton' essendi coram iusticiariis.
Norman Kynton' et Willelmus filius Simonis manucapiunt villatam
de Deresburg' essendi coram iusticiariis.
lacobus de Turleberg' et Eobertus de Wik', vallecti domini G. de
Langel', iusticiarii foreste, ceperunt quatuor cheuerellos ad opus
' See p. 34 above. * See p. 34 above.
- Friday, 26 January 125 1. ^ 26 January 125|.
2 This and the following word were * The true reading of this word is very
probably inserted in error. In the eyre doubtful,
roll John of Somerset only is described as ' 21 January, 125^.
being with Peter of Stamford.
NORTH AMPTONSn IRE, A.D. IL'^i 103
On the morrow ^ of the Conversion of St. Paul in the same year,
the men of master Peter of Stamford, to wit, Peter of Frogmore and
John of Somerset, took two does and a fawn with their greyhounds in
Hassokes.
An inquisition was made on the Friday ■' next after the Conversion
of St. Paul at the park of Stoke near le Merehecke, by four town-
ships, to wit, Stoke, Wilbarston, Brampton and Desborough, before
John Lovet, the verderer, and the sworn foresters, upon the taking of
a deer belonging to the lord king.
Stoke is sworn and says that Thomas the son of Simon of
Naseby of Brampton, the usher of the king's chapel, accompanied
by a certain free clerk of the king's almonry came to Brampton
on the Sunday ^ next before the feast of St. Vincent to see his father,
who was worn out and sick ; and on that night they lodged with the
same Simon. The said free clerk who accompanied him brought
five greyhounds, two fallow, two red, and one black brindled. In
the morning the said free clerk withdrew from his lodging with
the aforesaid greyhounds ; and it suspects him of taking that beast
and no one else, because the said Thomas the son of Simon re-
mained with his father.
Wilbarston is sworn and says the same.
Brampton is sworn and says the same, and in all things agrees
with the aforesaid townships.
Desborough is sworn and says the same.
Peter Colleville and Kichard Colleville are mainperners of the
townships of Stoke and Wilbarston being before the justices con-
cerning this matter.
Thomas the Serjeant and Thomas of Dingley are mainperners of
the township of Brampton being before the justices.
Norman Kynton and William the son of Simon are mainperners
of the township of Desborough being before the justices.
James of Thurlbear and Robert of Wick, the yeomen of Sir
Geoffrey of Langley, the justice of the forest, took four roes in the
104 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIOXS
domini Edwardi filii regis die Martis et die ' Mereurii proximis post
Puriticacionem beate Marie anno eodem in foresta de Eokingham.
Per breue. Eogerus de Ferr' cepit in foresta de EoVingham
quindecim damas et quinque damos viuos ad opus domini Willelmi de
Ferr', comitis Derb', ad quemdam parcum instaurandum de dono '^
domini regis in Marcio anno eodem, et vnum fetonem mortimm cepit
eodem tempore.
Accidit die^ Veneris proxima post festum apostolorum Petri et
Pauli anno eodem quod dominus Mauricius Daundely, viridarius,
venit apud Grafton' ad domum Willelmi de la Bruere et inuenit ibi
duos leporarios et inquisiuit cuius fuerunt, et dictum fuit ei quod
fuerunt lohannis Cardun. Predictus Mauricius cepit dictos leporarios
et eos liberauit lohanni Spigurnel, forestario equiti de parco, et
athachiauit predictum lohannem Cardun respondendi coram iusticiariis.
Eius plegii ' . . . /
Predicti duo leporarii commissi fuerunt domino G. de Langel',
iusticiario foreste.
Dominus E. comes Cornub' cepit in parco de Brixstok' die ^ Lune
in crastino Translacionis sancti Thome martiris anno eodem quinque
damos ; et die Martis proxima sequenti in eodem parco tres damos.
Idem comes cepit die^ Mereurii proxima sequenti in balliua de
Eokingh' nouem damos et in balliua de parco duos damos.
Idem comes cepit die^ louis proxima sequenti in balliua de
Eokingham vnum ceruum et duos damos.
Idem comes cepit in parco die^ Mereurii ante festum sancte
Margarete vnum damum ; et die louis proxima sequenti in eodem
parco quatuor damos, et in balliua de firma quinque damos.
Dominus Stephanus de Feuger' cepit vnam damam cum leporariis
suis in Driffeld' die^ Martis proxima ante festum sancti Petri ad
Vincula anno eodem.
' 6, 7 February I2b\. * Six names. ' 8 Ju]y 1252.
' By letters close dated 22 February 125-|. ^ 10 July 1259.
See Close Roll 66, memb. 23. '11 July 1252.
' 5 July 1252. « 17 July 1252. = 30 July 1252.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. l-25i 104
forest of Rockingham for the use of Sir Edward, the king's son,
on the Tuesday and Wednesday ^ next after the Purification of the
Blessed Mary.
By writ. Eoger de Ferrieres took fifteen live does and five live
bucks in the forest of Rockingham in March in the same year for the
use of Sir William de Ferrieres, earl of Derby, for stocking his
park, of the gift of the lord king ; and he took a dead fawn at the
same time.
It happened on the Friday ^ next before the feast of the
Apostles Peter and Paul in the same year that Sir Maurice
Daundelay, the verderer, came to Grafton to the house of William de
la Bruere, and found there two greyhounds. And he inquired whose
they were, and was told that they belonged to John Cardun. The
aforesaid Maurice took the said greyhounds and delivered them to
John Spigurnel, the riding forester of the park, and he attached the
aforesaid John Cardun to make answer before the justices. His
pledges were ....
The aforesaid two greyhounds were sent to Sir Geoffrey of
Langley, the justice of the forest.
Sir Richard, earl of Cornwall, took five bucks in the park of
Brigstock on Monday ^ the morrow of the Translation of St. Thomas
the Martyr in the same year ; and three bucks in the same park
on the Tuesday next following.
The same earl took nine bucks in the bailiwick of Rockingham and
two bucks in the bailiwick of the park on the Wednesday '^ next
following.
The same earl took a hart and two bucks in the bailiwick of
Rockingham on the Thursday ^ next following.
The same earl took one buck in the park on the Wednesday ^ before
the feast of St. Margaret ; and four bucks in the same park on the
Thursday next following, and five bucks in the Farming bailiwick.
Sir Stephen de Feugeres took a doe with his greyhounds in
Driffield on the Tuesday ^ next before the feast of St. Peter's Chains in
the same year.
105 SELFXT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Per breue. Abbas de Burg' sancti Petri fecit capere in foresta de
Eokingh' in Augusto anno eodem tres damos et vnum broketum
dami de dono domini regis.
Per breue. Dominus Willelmus de Wasteneys cepit eodem
tempore ad opus domini Gileberti de Segraue duos damos de dono •
domini regis in eadem foresta.
Abbas Westm' cepit in eadem foresta vnum zourum cerui cum
leporariis suis die^ Sabbati proxima post Decollacionem sancti lohannis
Baptiste anno eodem.
Per breue. Idem abbas cepit vnum damum in Bulex die ^ Martis
proxima post Natiuitatem sancte Marie anno eodem.
Per breue. Venatores domini Willelmi de Valenc' ceperunt
eodem tempore in eadem foresta vnum damum de dono domini
regis.
Per breue. Dominus Eobertus Basset cepit in eadem foresta
eodem tempore in pinguedine duos damos ad opus magistri Willelmi
de Kilkenny, archidiaconi Couentr', de dono * domini regis.
Anno tricesimo septimo. Inquisicio facta ad molendinum extra
Wodeford' die^ Sabbati in festo sancti dementis anno regni regis
Henrici tricesimo septimo coram domino Mauricio Daundely et
Eicardo de Audewincl', viridariis, et lohanne Spigurnel, forestario,
per quatuor villatas Wodeford', Islep', Twiwell', Slipton', Adington'
et Irtlingburg' que, iurate, dicunt per sacramentum suum quod
homines comitis de Ferr' die '^ sancti Edmundi de Pontania fugauerunt
vnum brokettum dami infra libertatem usque ad aquam^ subtus
Wodeford'. Et brokettus ibi transiuit aquam et resistit in quodam
butimine extra Wodeford', et ibi custoditus fuit per villatam quousque
Eicardus de Audewincle, viridarius, venit et per ipsum et per villatam
ductus fuit ad forestam saluus et sanus.
Per breue. Edmundus de Lascy cepit in balliua de firma de
Brixstok' die ^ Martis proxima ante f estum sancti Valentini anno eodem
' The king granted three bucks to Gil- * Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury,
bert of Seagrave by letters close dated died at Soissy on 16 November 1240, and
4 August 1252. See Close Roll 66, m. 8. was buried at Pontigny on 18 November
■' 31 August 1252. 1240.
^ 10 September 1252. ' The water mentioned was the river
* By letters close, dated 24 August 1252. Nen, which at this time was one of the
See Close Roll 66, m. 5. boundaries of the forest of Rockingham.
"■ 23 November 1252. « 11 February 125|.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1252 105
By writ. The abbot of Peterborough caused three bucks and a
buck's brocket to be taken in the forest of Kockingham in August in
the same year of the gift of the lord king.
By writ. Sir Wilham de Wasteneys took two bucks at the
same time for the use of Sir Gilbert of Seagrave of the gift of
the lord king.
The abbot of Westminster took a hart's soar with his greyhounds
in the same forest on the Saturday ^ next after the Decollation of
St. John the Baptist in the same year.
By writ. The same abbot took a buck in Bulax on the Tuesday ^
next after the Nativity of the Blessed Mary in the same year.
By writ. The hunters of Sir William de Valence took a buck in
the same forest at the same time, of the gift of the lord king.
By writ. Sir Robert Basset took two bucks in the same forest
in time of grease for the use of Master William of Kilkenny, arch-
deacon of Coventry, of the gift of the lord king.
In the thirty-seventh year. An inquisition was made at the mill
outside Woodford, on Saturday ^ the feast of St. Clement in the thirty-
seventh year of the reign of king Henry, before Sir Maurice
Daundelay and Eichard of Aldwinkle, the verderers, and John
Spigurnel, the forester, by four townships, Woodford, Islip, Twywell,
Slipton, Addington, and Irtlingborough, who, being sworn, say upon
their oath that the men of the Earl de Ferrieres hunted on the day of
St. Edmund of Pontigny a buck's brocket from within the liberty as
far as the water beneath Woodford. And the brocket there crossed
the water and stood in a certain swamp outside Woodford ; and it
was kept there by the township until Richard of Aldwinkle, the
verderer, came, and by him and the township it was brought into
the forest safe and sound.
By writ. Edmund de Lassy took with his greyhounds in the
baiHwick of Brigstock Farming on the Tuesday ^ next before the feast
106 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
vnam damam et vnum fetonem dami masculinnm vnius anni cum
leporariis suis de dono domini regis.
Per breue. Magister Simon de Wanton' fecit capere in foresta de
Eokingham in Februario anno eodem octo damas et quatuor damos
vinos de dono ^ domini regis ad parcum suum instaurandum. Et vnus
capriolus vlterius.
Per breue. Dominus Eobertus Basset cepit in eadem foresta duas
damas ad opus uxoris domini Eoberti de Mares' die"^ Mercurii proxima
post festum sancti Mathie apostoli anno eodem de dono ^ domini regis.
^Accidit die-^ Martis proxima ante Dominicam Palmarum anno
eodem infra noctem quod Willelmus de Rode, forestarius pedites ^ de
parco, venit in villa de Brixstok' ita quod obuiauit Galfrido Catel
de eadem et Petro Welp intrantibus villam. Et Galfridus tulit vnam
damam integram wlneratam per medium capud cum quadam sagitta.
Et dictus Willelmus cepit dictum Galfridum et interogauit eum, ubi
habuit dictam damam ; et ipse dixit quod venit in parco apud Hassok'
eodem die et inuenit dictam damam mortuam in caua quercu, et
traxit illam in quendam dumetum, et accessit ad villam de Brixstok'
et obuiauit lohanni Prentut, forestario equiti, et Colino de Geytington',
forestario pediti, et Thome Stule, garcioni lohannis Prentut, et Petro
Welp, qui perceperunt super eum pilum bestialem. Et interogauerunt
eum vnde ille pilus fuit. Et ipse dixit quod inuenit vnam damam
mortuam in parco et earn abscondit. Et ipsi promiserunt ei quod
nunquam haberet inde malum, condicione, quod reduceret eos ad
damam predictam. Et ipse retornauit ducens eos ad damam. Et
ipsi preceperunt ^' ei ferre predictam damam ad domum Petri Welp in
Brixstok' et promiserunt ei spaulas et collum.
Postea die ^ louis proxima sequenti, conuocatis forestariis viridariis
et quatuor villatis, scilicet, Brixstok', Stanerne, Grafton' et Suburg'
apud Brixtok', ad inquisicionem super hoc faciendam.
Brixstok', iurata, dicit per sacramentum suum quod bene sciunt
quod dictus Galfridus inuenit predictam damam mortuam set nesciunt
quis eam occidit, et quod dictus Galfridus voluit tulisse eam ad domum
Buam propriam et non ad domum Petri Welp. Et dicunt per sacra-
mentum suum quod bene sciunt quod totum falsum esset quicquid
' By letters close dated 27 December 125|. See Close EoU 67, m. 17.
1252, addressed to Hugh of Goldingham, * See p. 35 above. ' 8 April 1253.
who is described in them as steward of the ' The first five letters only of this word are
forest of Rockingham. See Close Koll 67, written in the manuscript. Its usual form
m. 21. is ' pedes.'
■ 26 February 125|. ' MS. ' precipuerunt.'
3 By letters close dated 15 February « 10 April 1253.
KOETIIAMrTONSIIIRE, A.D. 1250 106
of St. Yaientine in the same year, a doe and a male fa^Yn of a buck,
a year old, of the gift of the lord king.
By writ. Master Simon of Walton caused eight live does and
four live bucks to be taken in the forest of Eockingham, of the gift of
the lord king, to stock his park. And one roe besides.
By writ. Sir Eobert Basset took two does in the same forest
on the Wednesday ^ next before the feast of St. Mathias the apostle
in the same year for the use of the wife of Sir Robert de Mares, of
the gift of the lord king.
It happened on the Tuesday ^ next before Palm Sunday in the
same year at night time that William of Rode, the walking forester of
the park, came into the town of Brigstock and so met Geoffrey Catel
of the same town and Peter Welp entering the town. And Geoffrey
carried a whole doe which had been wounded in the middle of the
head with a certain arrow. And the said William took the said
Geoffrey and asked him whence he had the said doe. And he said
that he went into the park at Hassokes on the same day and found the
said doe dead in a hollow oak, and he dragged it to a certain thicket.
And he went to the town of Brigstock and there met John Prentut,
the riding forester, and Colin of Geddington, the walking forester, and
Thomas Stule, the page of John Prentut, and Peter Welp, who
perceived on him deer's hair. And they asked him whence that hair
came. And he said that he found a dead doe in the park and hid it.
And they promised him that he should suffer no harm thereby on
condition that he brought them back to the said doe. And he re-
turned leading them to the doe. And they bade him bring the afore-
said doe to the house of Peter Welp in Brigstock. And they promised
him the shoulders and neck.
Afterwards on the Thursday ^ next following the foresters, verderers
and four townships, to wit, Brigstock, Stanion, Grafton and Sud-
borough were assembled at Brigstock to make an inquisition thereupon.
Brigstock is sworn and says upon its oath that they know well that
the said Geoffrey found the aforesaid doe already dead, but they know
not who killed it ; and that the said Geoffrey wished to bring it to his
own house and not to the house of Peter Welp. And they say upon
their oath that they know well that everything was false with which
107 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
inponebat forestariis et Petro Welp. Et bene sciunt quod Petrus Welp
venit de ceruisia eadem hora ante Willelmus cepit eundem Galfridum.
Et nullam suspeccionem habent uersus aliquem nel aliquos de malefacto
predicto nisi versus eundem Galfridum qui captus est.
Stanerne, iurata, dicit idem.
Grafton', iurata, dicit idem.
Suburg', iurata, dicit idem.
Dominus Mauricius Daundely, viridarius, dixit quod predict!
forestarii comederunt eodem die Martis cum Eadulfo de Craneford'
apud Craneford et fuerunt ad domum suam usque ad occasum solis.
Dictus Galfridus dedixit etc. coram quatuor viridariis et quatuor
villatis quicquid prius dixerat coram senescallo et forestariis et
quatuor viridariis ; et dixit quod Willelmus de Eode, qui eum cepit,
fecit eum per vim dicere hoc quod dixit super forestarios et Petrum
Welp.
Dictus Galfridus commissus fuit ad prisonam Norhampt' ; tunc
vicecomes dominus ^ Willelmus de Insula.
Catalla eius capta fuerunt in manu domini regis, videlicet, due
parue bouette femelle, et quatuor oues matrices tondentes, et quatuor
iuuenes agni, toti de precio iiij s., et vna vetus tina, et due veteres
corbelles de precio iij d. Et commissa fuerunt toti villate ut
respondeant de precio coram iusticiariis.
Coreus dami commissus fuit Geroudo filio Eoberti de Suburg' in
Brixstok' ad tenendum coram iusticiariis.
Caro data fuit leprosis pro anima domini regis.
Tamen propter suspeccionem lohannes Prentut inuenit plegios de
veniendo coram iusticiariis, scilicet ^ : — . . . .
Colinus de Geytington' inuenit plegios de veniendo coram iusticiariis,
scilicet - : — . . . .
Petrus Welp inuenit plegios de veniendo coram iusticiariis,
scilicet ^ : — . . . .
lohannes Prentut manucepit Thomam Stule, garcionem suum,
de producendo ipsum ubique.
Treadecim porci inuenti fuerunt apud Brixstok' qui fuerunt Eadulfi
de Brixstok,' I qui rettatus fuit pro malefacto cum retibus in foresta de
Witlewod'. Et preciati fuerunt per quatuor viridarios quilibet pro
sex denariis et liberati fuerunt Henrico preposito et Eoberto Neu-
bond' ut respondeant de precio eorum coram iusticiariis.
» William de I'lsle seems to have been till 13 June 1253. See List of Sheriff's
sherifi of Northampton from 23 April 1252 = Twelve names.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1253 107
he charged the foresters and Peter Welp. And they know well that
Peter Welp came from an ale gathering at the same hour, which was
before William took the same Geoffrey. And they suspect no other
person or persons of the aforesaid evil deed, except only the same
Geoffrey, who is taken.
Stanion is sworn and says the same.
Grafton is sworn and says the same.
Sudborough is sworn and says the same.
Sir Maurice Daundelay, the verderer, said that the aforesaid
foresters dined on the same Tuesday with Kalph of Cranford at Cran-
ford, and were at his house until sunset.
The said Geoffrey denied etc. before the four verderers and four
townships all that he had previously said before the steward and the
foresters and the four verderers, and said that William of Kode, who
took him, by means of force made him say what he said about the
foresters and Peter Welp.
The said Geoffrey was committed to the prison of Northampton ;
the sheriff was then Sir William de I'lsle.
His chattels were taken into the hand of the lord king, to wit, two
small heifers, and four shearling ewes and four young lambs, all of
them together of the price of four shillings, and an old bowl and two
old baskets of the price of three pence. And they were given to the
whole township to answer for the price before the justices.
The skin of the buck was given to Gerald the son of Eobert of
Sudborough of Brigstock, to produce before the justices.
The flesh was given to the lepers for the soul of the lord king.
Nevertheless on account of suspicion John Prentut found pledges
of coming before the justices, to wit ....
Colin of Geddington found pledges of coming before the justices,
to wit ....
Peter Welp found pledges of coming before the justices, to
wit ....
John Prentut was the mainperner of Thomas Stule, his page, for
producing him wheresoever etc.
Thirteen pigs were found at Brigstock. They belonged to Ealph
of Brigstock, who was suspected of an evil deed with nets in the
forest of Whittlewood. And they were appraised by the four
verderers at sixpence each ; and were given to Henry the reeve and
Eobert Newbond to answer for their price before the justices.
lOS SELECT FOEEST INQUISITIONS
lohannes de Plesset', comes Warwik', cepit die ^ Martis ante
Ascensionem anno eodem vnum damum et vnum zourum dami et
vnam damam in parco apud Acwellesik'.
^PiOgeriTS de Tineswich presentauit quod lohannes Balun et
Henricus de Chirchefeld' et Thomas de Pilketon' sunt malefactores
de venacione domini regis ; et Eobertus persona de Trapston' eos
receptauit. Inquisicio facta super hoc apud Lufwyc die^ Veneris
proxima ante festum Purificacionis beate Marie anno tricesimo octauo
coram Yiridariis et forestariis per quatuor villatas subscriptas, sciHcet,
per Audewincl', Lufwyc', Yslep, Sutburg'.
Audewincle, iurata, dicit quod predicti forestarii sunt fideles in
seruicio domini regis, et nichil sciunt de iUis nisi fideUtatem, nee de
iUis aliquam habent susspeccionem.
Lufwyc, Yslep, Sutburg', iurate, concordant cum Audewincle, primo
iurata.
Memorandum quod H. de Goldingh* recepit senescaciam "^ foreste
die-^ Martis proxima ante festum Assumpcionis beate Marie anno
tricesimo septimo.
Dominus Bicardus, comes Cornub', cepit in parco de Brixstok'
die ^ Lune et die *^ Martis proximis post Assumpcionem beate Marie
anno tricesimo septimo tres damos,
Eobertus Basset cej^it in foresta de Eokingham in Augusto anno
Gaifridtisde eodem ad opus magistri AYillelmi de Kilkenny quatuor damos, vnde
abuiT Eicardus de Walton, tunc forestarius et constabularius de Eokingh',
habet breue.
Inquisicio facta apud Corby die ^ louls post festum sancti Michaelis
anno eodem coram domino E. de Bosco^* iusticiario foreste, super
malefactoribus in foresta per hos subscriptos :^
WillelmuB de Musca, miles. lohannes de Bray de Pilket'.
Willelmus filius Andree de Eobertus filius Willelmi de
Lyueden'. Lufwic.
Willelmus de Camera. Eobertus filius Henrici de Stok'.
' 27 May 1258. steward the deputy wardensbip was pro-
2 This entry is writtenon a sehednle to bably intended. It should be noticed that
the original roll. ^ 30 Januai'y 125f. he has already been described as steward
* Hugh of Goldinghaiu was not appointed in inquisitions of an earlier date (see pp.
warden of the forests between the bridges 95, 96 above).
of Stamford and Oxford until 6 March 125^ ^ 12 August 125.3. « 18, 19 August 1253.
(p. 11, note 7 above). By the office of ' 2 October 1253. ''Seep. 15, note 3 above.
CUildevic
liabui
breue.
NORTIIAMPTONSIIIRE, A.D. 1253 108
John du Plessis, earl of Warwick, took a buck, and a buck's soar
and a doe on the Tuesday ' before Ascension day in the same year in
the park at Acwellsike.
Eoger of Tingewick presented that John Balun and Henry of
Church field and Thomas of Pilton are evil doers to the venison of the
lord king ; and Eobert the parson of Thrapston harboured them. An
inquisition was made thereupon at Lowick on the Friday ^ next before
the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Mary in the thirty-eighth
year before the verderers and foresters by the four underwritten
townships, to wit, by Aldwinkle, Lowick, Islip, and Sudborough.
Aid winkle is sworn and says that the aforesaid foresters are
faithful in the service of the lord king ; and they know nothing of
them except that they are faithful ; and they have no suspicion con-
cerning them,
Lowick, Islip, and Sudborough are sworn and agree in all things
with Aldwinkle, which was first sworn.
Be it remembered that Hugh of Goldingham received the office of
steward of the forest on the Tuesday ^ next before the feast of the
Assumption of the Blessed Mary in the thirty-seventh year.
Sir Eichard, earl of Cornwall, took three bucks in the park of
Brigstock on the Monday '^ and Tuesday "^ next after the Assumption
of the Blessed Mary in the thirty-seventh year.
Eobert Basset took four bucks in the forest of Eockingham for
the use of Master William of Kilkenny in August in the same year.
And Eichard of W^alton who was then forester and constable of
Eockingham has the writ.
An inquisition concerning evil doers in the forest was made at
Corby on the Thursday ^ after the feast of St. Michael in the same
year before Sir Arnold de Bois, justice of the forest, by the under-
written persons :~
W^illiam de la Mouche, knight. John of Bray of Pilton,
William the son of Andrew of Eobert the son of William of
Lyveden. Lowick.
William of the chamber. Eobert the son of Henry of
Stoke.
109 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Elias de Stanerne. Laurencius Frankeleyn de Welle-
Eadulfus Piccor de Islep'. don'.
Willelmus filius Eicardi extra Willelinus filius Eoberti de eadem.
uillam. ^Yillelmus de Twiwell' in Stanerne.
Henricus locehom' de eadem.
Villate : — Gej'tington', Acle, Bricstok', Corby, Stanerne, iurate.
^ Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod habent suspeccionem
quod Henricus Neue natus de Islep' per tres annos elapsos iuit cum
arcubus et sagittis in parco de Brixtok' et in bosco de firma.
Et Salomon de Aclc insimul malefactor in eisdem boscis cum
arcubus et sagittis ; et se aduocat per dominum Hugonem de Goldingh',
senescallum foreste. Et dicunt quod idem Salomon est consenciens
omnibus architenentibus, qui venerunt in eisdem boscis ad malefacien-
dum de venacione domini regis ; et associatus est eis.
Item dicunt quod Simon filius Eogeri de Geytington' vadit cum
arcu et sagittis barbatis in parco de Brixstok' ; et non est forestarius
iuratus, per quod habent suspeccionem quod malefactor est de venacione
domini regis et consenciens est omnibus malefactoribus in eodem
parco ; et se aduocat per lohannem Spigurnel ; et ideo inuenit plegios
respondendi coram iusticiariis, scilicet, Colinum filium Willelmi filii
Eulconis de Geytingt' et Eicardum de Horton' de eadem.
Memorandum quod predictus Salomon obuiauit illis qui pre-
dauerunt carettam ad crucem de Lappewortli' in foresta de Geyting-
ton' et cognouit plures eorum.
Item dicunt quod lohannes lue inuenit quamdam damam mortuam
de morina, et dixit Godwino filio Willelmi de Corby quod suspenderet
eam sursum ; et tunc idem G. escoriauit eandem damam et vendidit
coreum cuidam homini de Gretton' pro vno denario. Et preceptum
fuit quod capiatur ; et statim venit et finem fecit cum iusticiario per
dimidiam marcam ut sit sub pleuina usque aduentum iusticiariorum
de foresta ; et inuenit plegios ' . . .
Item dicunt quod erbagium de parco de Brixstok' bene custoditur
ad opus domini regis ; set quod lohannes Prentut cariare fecit duos
carectatos feni ad domum Henrici propositi de Brixtok' ad opus
iusticiarii de foresta quando illic venisset et ad equm suum proprium
de Acwellesik' ubi fenum creuit.
Item dicunt quod lacobus de Thurleberg' tempore domini G. de
' See p. 36 above. ^ Twelve names.
NORTHAMPTON' SIIIRE, A.D. 1253 109
Elias of Stanion. Lawrence Frankeleyn of Welclon.
Ralph the painter of Ishp. Wilham the son of Eobert of the
Wilham the son of Richard outside same town.
the town. William of Twywell in Stanion.
Henry Jocehom of the same town.
Townships : — Geddington, Oakley, Brigstock, Corby and Stanion,
which are sworn.
And they say upon their oath that they suspect that Henry
Newborn of Islip during the past three years has gone with bows and
arrows in the park of Brigstock and in the Farming wood.
And Solomon of Oakley was at the same time an evil doer in the
same woods with bows and arrows ; and he avows himself by Sir
Hugh of Goldingham, the steward of the forest. And they say that
the same Solomon is privy to all the men who have gone into the
forest with bows to do evil to the venison of the lord king ; and he is
associated to them.
Also they say that Simon the son of Roger of Geddington goes
with bows and barbed arrows in the park of Brigstock. And he is
not a sworn forester, wherefore they suspect that he is an evil doer to
the venison of the lord king and j)rivy to all evil doers in the same
park ; and he avows himself by John Spigurnel. And therefore he
finds pledges of answering before the justices, to wit, Colin the son of
William the son of Fulk of Geddington and Richard of Horton of
the same town.
Be it remembered that the aforesaid Solomon met the men who
robbed the cart at Lapworth cross in the forest of Geddington and he
recognised several of them.
Also they say that John Ive found a certain doe which died of
murrain ; and he told Godwin the son of William of Corby to hang it
up. And then the same Godwin flayed the same doe and sold the
skin to a certain man of Gretton for a penny. And it was ordered
that he be taken ; and immediately he came and made fine with the
justice by half a mark that he might be under pledge till the coming
of the justices of the forest ; and he found pledges, . . .
Also they say that the herbage of the park of Brigstock is well
kept for the use of the lord king ; but they say that John Prentut
caused two cartloads of hay to be carried to the house of Henry the
reeve of Brigstock, for the use of the justice of the forest, when he
came there, and for his own horse, from Acwellsike, where the hay grew.
Also they say that James of Thurlbear, at the time when Sir
110 SELECT FOEEST INQUISITIONS
Langel', dum fuit insticiarius de foresta, cucurrit cum mota sua et
leporariis suis efc berselettis et congregauit multociens cum arcubus
et sagittis decern et octo homines et multam fecerunt destruccionem
de venaeione domini regis in omnibus balliuis foreste, ex quo foresta
multum destructa erat per eundem lacobum et socios suos.
Walterus Kakilberd, homo domini Hugonis de Goldingh', senescahi
foreste, venit in foresta de Geytington' in Westle, et prostrauit duas
quercus per terram in domiuico bosco domini regis et terciam quercum
in Themanneshedg' per terram in dominico bosco domini regis. Et
eariate fuerunt dicte quercus ad Acle ad domum eiusdem Walteri cum
carecta domini Hugonis predicti et equis et homiuibus.
Willelmus Wic de Geytington' cepit vnum blettronem in Springes-
hedg' in dominico bosco domini regis ; nesciunt quo waranto ; et ideo
inuenit plegios respondendi coram iusticiariis Eadulfum ad Pontem
et Eobertum Pistorem de Geytington'.
Item dicunt quod predictus Salomon collexit vnam carectatam
plenam de glande in foresta, et venit itinerando per Piiston' ; et ibidem
eadem carecta athachiata erat ; et nesciebant quomodo dehberata fuit.
^ Eicardus Burel' de Bouton' Walterus Freman de Geytingt'
Eogerus Franceys de Neuton' Simon clericus de Grafton'
Willelmus Freman de eadem Petrus filius Willelmi de Bouton'
Eogerus filius Alicie de Bouton' Willelmus clericus de Wide
Eadulfus Basset de Slipton' Henricus clericus de Slipton'
Eobertus filius lohannis de Henricus ad crucem de eadem
Twiweir
Eicardus de Cotes
qui iurati dicunt quod viride et venacio bene custoditur.
Dicunt eciam quod omnes forestarii fideles sunt ; et nichil aliud
sciunt de illis.
Dicunt eciam quod Acwellesik' falcatur pro medietate per balliuos ;
et vna medietas adunatur et ponitm- super quemdam tassum preter
quamdam partem que ducitur ad Brixstok'.
Langel' falcatur pro medietate, et totum fenum est ibi integrum.
Dicunt eciam quod Salomon et topping' et Simon filius Eogeri de
Geytington' non sunt forestarii iurati, et tamen eunt cum arcubus et
sagittis barbatis.
2 Item dicunt quod nullam suspeccionem habent uersus aliquem de
' The object of having a second jury forest, -while the second gave answers to a
sworn is not apparent. Perhaps the first list of general interrogatories.
one was concerned with malefactors in the '■' See pp. 35 and 106.
NORTPIAMPTONSIIIEE, A.D. 1253 110
Geoffrey of Langley was justice of the forest, hunted with his pack,
and his greyhounds and bercelets and frequently assembled eighteen
men with bows and arrows. And they wrought much destruction to the
venison of the lord king, in all the bailiwicks of the forest, whereby
the forest was much impaired by the said James and his fellows.
Walter Kakilberd, the man of Sir Hugh of Goldingham, the
steward of the forest, came into the forest of Geddington at Westleigh,
and felled to the ground two oaks in the demesne wood of the lord
king ; and a third oak in Themanneshedge in the demesne wood of
the lord king. And the said oaks were carried to Oakley, to the house
of the same Walter, with the cart of Sir Hugh aforesaid and with his
horses and men.
William Wick of Geddington took a sapling in Springshedge in the
demesne wood of the lord king ; by what warrant they know not ;
and therefore he finds pledges of making answer before the justices
Ealph atte Bridge and Eobert the baker of Geddington.
And they say that the aforesaid Solomon collected a full cartload
of mast in the forest and went on his way through Rushton ; and
there the same cart was attached ; and they knew not how it was
delivered.
Richard Burel of Boughton Walter Freman of Geddington
Roger Franceis of Newton Simon the clerk of Grafton
William Freman of the same town Peter the son of William of Bough-
Roger the son of Alice of Bough- ton
ton William the clerk of Weekley
Ralph Basset of Slipton Henry the clerk of Slipton
Robert the son of John of Twywell Henry atte Cross of the same
Richard of Cotes town
are sworn and say that the vert and the venison are well preserved.
They say also that the foresters are faithful ; and that they know
nothing else of them.
They say also that Acwellsike is mown as to one moiety by the
bailiffs ; and one moiety is stacked and put upon a certain straddle,
except a certain part which is carried to Brigstock.
Langley is mown as to one moiety, and all the hay there kept
together.
They say also that Solomon and Nopping and Simon the son of
Roger of Geddington are not sworn foresters ; and yet they go with
bows and barbed arrows.
And they say that they suspect no one of the doe with which
Ill SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
dama cum qua Galfridus Catel captus fuit ; nisi uersus eundem G., qui
eandem damam stulte inuenit.
' Dicunt quod Walterus Kakilberd amputauit duas quercus in
Westle et vnam in Tliemannesliedge ; nesciunt quo waranto.
Dicunt quod erbagium bene custoditur et nullum sciunt inde male-
factorem, nisi sit de escapiis, et ob hoc pontores ^ recipiunt denarios per
talliam contra forestarios.
Forestarii de bosco de firma de Brixstok' dicunt quod Thomas
filius Odeyn de Eokingh' et Eobertus de Freney sunt malefactores
foreste et depredatores.
Inquisicio facta apud Ayscros sub bosco de Deresburg' die ^ Lune
in festo sancti Michaelis anno eodem coram H. de Goldingh',
senescallo foreste, et lohanne Luuet, viridario, de quadam fera . . .
per lohannem personam de Arnigworth', dicentem lohanni Luuet,
viridario, quod vidit duos homines fratris Roberti de Mauneby ferre
vnam feram super vnum pelum . . . die^ Martis proxima ante
festum sancti Michaelis per quatuor villatas propinquiores, scilicet,
Deresburg', Braybroc et Brampton', que plenarie venerunt, etdixerunt
per sacramentum suum quod totum falsum fuit ; quod bene sciunt,
quia eodem die Martis viderunt homines dicti fratris Eoberti ferre
vnum leporem super vnum baculum in deductu suo uersus hospicium,
quem ceperunt in bosco de Deresburg' cum canibus domini sui.
Thorp sub bosco summonita fuic et non venit.
Nicholaus ^ de Eomes' cepit quatuor damas in parco de Brixstok'
die ^ louis proxima ante festum sancti Thome apostoli anno tricesimo
octauo cum canibus E. de Bosco,' iusticiarii foreste, ad opus eiusdem E.
Per breue. Frater Eobertus de Mauneby cepit in foresta de
Eokingh' die ^ Sabbati ante festum sancti Yincencii anno eodem tres
damas ; et die ^ Lune proxima sequenti tres damas de dono domini
regis.
E. de Bosco, iusticiarius foreste, cepit vnam damam in landa de
Banefeld' die ^" Mercurii proxima sequenti ; et die louis proxima
sequenti in Thornhawe vnam damam, et in parco duas damas.
' This was presented by the first jury tice in eyre at Northampton in June 1255.
also. See p. 27 above.
2 The ordinary works of reference say " 18 December 1253.
nothing of this word. ' See p. 15, note H.
^ 29 September 1253. " 17 January 125|.
* 23 September 1253. " 19 January 1253.
^ Nicholas of Romsey was a forest jus- '" 21 January 125|.
XORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1253 111
Geoffrey Catel was taken, except the same Geoffrey, who found the
same doe by chance.
They say also that Walter Kakilberd cut down two oaks in "VVest-
leigh and one in Themanneshedge ; by what warrant they know not.
They say that the herbage is well kept, and they know no evil
doer with respect to it except it be with respect to escapes, and for
this the " pontores " receive pence by a tally against the foresters.
The foresters of the wood of Brigstock Farming say that Thomas
the son of Odeyn of Rockingham and Eobert de Freney are evil doers
to the forest, and robbers.
An inquisition was made at Ayscros under Desborough wood
on Monday ^ the feast of St. Michael in the same year, before Hugh of
Goldingham, the steward of the forest, and John Lovet, the verderer,
concerning a certain deer ... by John the parson of Arthingworth,
who told John Lovet, the verderer, that he saw two men of Brother
Eobert of Manby carrying a deer upon a stake ... on the
Tuesday ■* next before the feast of St. Michael by four neighbouring
townships, to wit, Desborough, Braybrooke, and Brampton, who came
fully and said upon their oath that it was all false ; and this they well
knew, because on the same Tuesday they saw the men of the said
Brother Eobert carrying upon a stick, as they went towards their
lodging, a hare which they took in Desborough wood with the hounds
of their lord.
Thorpe Underwood was summoned and did not come.
Nicholas of Eomsey took four does in the park of Brigstock on the
Thursday ^ next before the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, in the
thirty-eighth year, with the hounds of Arnold de Bois, the justice of
the forest, for the use of the same Arnold.
By writ. Brother Eobert of Manby took three does in the forest
of Eockingham on the Saturday ^ next before the feast of St. Vincent
in the same year ; and three bucks on the Monday ^ next following, of
the gift of the lord king.
Arnold de Bois, the justice of the forest, took a doe in Beanfield
lawn on the Wednesday "^ next following ; and a doe in Thornhawe, and
two does in the park on the Thursday next following.
112 SELECT FOEEST INQUISITIONS
^ Inquisicio facta apud Vndele coram E. de Bosco, iiisticiario
foreste, die ^ sanctorum Fabiani et Sebastiani anno eodem per
forestarios et viridarios qui dicmit super sacramentum suum quod
Wido ... die Martis proxima post festum sancti Thome Martiris . . .
et iuit apud Lilleford ad prandium suum et sic iuit . . . brokettum
dami trahentem vnum pelum vna corda attachiata ad pedes . . .
fugit uersus boscum et in bosco athachiauit se inter duo ligna . . .
captus erat. Et dictus Wido abiit ad prandium suum et fecit
Eogerum de Pontefracto tunc garcionem suum, ibidem expectare ad
insidiandum si quis voluit feram illam asportare. Et cito postea
venerunt Nicliolaus et Simon, filii^ Swain de Lyueden', et Simon
wodewardus domini Mauricii Daundely, et asportauerunt feram
illam. Et dictus Eogerus peciit ab eisdem partem inde aliquem ; set
nichil ei dederunt. Et venacio predicta asportata fuit ad domum
Bate de Pilketon' et ibidem manducata est.
Item dicunt quod die * Lune in crastino sancti Andree apostoli
anno predicto venit dominus H. de Goldingh', senescallus foreste, de
uersus swanimottum de Clyue transieus per mediam forestam de
Clyue in balliua de Morhey. Et tunc subito ex inprouiso insurrexe-
runt ei et hominibus suis cum arcubus et sagittis Hugo Monachus,
persona de Thirningg', Philippus Scissor qui tunc fuit cum Berengero
le Moyne, Galfridus de Wadynho, \Yillelmus filius persone de Thorn -
hawe, Eicardus Scroty de Vpthorp, Johannes Scroty, frater eius,
Galfridus Duke de Vpthorp, Eobertus louce de Lyueden', . . .^ de
Burgo et Bate de Lyueden' qui omnes sunt malefactores in foresta
domini regis de venacione sua.
Dicunt eciam quod Henricus nepos decani de Vndel', Eobertus
persona de Polebroc, Willelmus de Burg', persona de Bernek', persona
de lakesl', Elias persona de Thornhawe sunt receptatores dictorum
malefactorum.
^ Item dicunt quod Eadulfus luilhering de Lufwic et Walterus filius
Eoberti Percheuyd sunt malefactores de venacione domini regis in
balliua de Eokingham et alibi cum arcubus et sagittis.
Plegii Simonis de Acle pro essarto : — '''
Plegii eiusdem Simonis pro fossato de nouo facto : — ^
' See p. 36 above. ^ A word no longer legible has been can-
2 Tuesday, 20 January 125|. celled here.
^ In the eyre roll one son is called Walter ' See p. 36 above,
and the other Nicholas. ' Six or more names, some of them ille-
■* 1 December 1253. gible. » Six names.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 125| 112
An inquisition was made at Oundle before Arnold de Bois, the
justice of the forest, on the day '■^ of Saints Fabian and Sebastian in
the same year by the foresters and verdefers, who say upon their oath
that Guy ... on the Tuesday next after the feast of St. Thomas the
Martyr . . . went to Lilford to his dinner, and as he went [he saw] a
buck's broket dragging a stake, with a cord fastened to its feet. And
it fled towards the wood and entangled itself between two trees and
was taken. And the said Guy went away to his dinner, and caused
Pioger of Pontefract, who was then his page, to wait there watching
secretly to see if anyone wished to carry away that deer. And im-
mediately afterwards Nicholas and Simon, the sons of Sweyn of
Lyveden, and Simon the woodward of Sir Maurice Daundelay came
and carried away that deer. And the said Koger demanded some
part thereof from them ; but they gave nothing to him. And the
venison aforesaid was carried to the house of Bate of Pilton and
eaten there.
And they say that on Monday * the morrow of St. Andrew the
Apostle Sir Hugh of Goldingham, the steward of the forest, came
away from the swanimote of Cliffe, passing across the middle of the
forest of CHffe through the bailiwick of Morehay. And then suddenly
and unexpectedly there arose before him and his men with bows and
arrows Hugh le Moin, the parson of Thurning, Philip the tailor, who
was with Berenger le Moin, Geoffrey of Wadenhoe, William the son of
the parson of Thornhaugh, Richard Scroty of Upthorp, John Scroty,
his brother, Geoffrey Duke of Upthorp, Robert Jouce of Lyveden . . .
of Borough, and Bate of Lyveden, who are all evil doers in the forest
of the lord king to his venison.
They say also that Henry the nephew of the dean of Oundle,
Robert the parson of Polebrook, William of Burgh, the parson of
Barnackjthe parson of Yaxley, and Elias of Thornhaugh are harbourers
of the said evil doers.
And they say that Ralph luelhering of Lowick and Walter the son
of Robert Perchead are evil doers to the venison of the lord king
in the bailiwick of Rockingham ; and elsewhere with bows and arrows.
Pledges of Simon of Oakley for an assart : —
Pledges for the same Simon for a ditch recently made :—
113 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Accidit die^ Mercurii proxima post Ascensionem domini anno
regni regis Henrici tricesimo nono quod Willelmus Champeneys,
forestarius eques, et Eobertus de Aiidewincl' et socius sims forestarii
pedites venerunt in landa de Banefeld' ad horam nonam ita qnod apud
Abremannyslep' obuiauerunt vni leporario nigro coueire currenti
ad vnam herdiam bestiarum et eum ceperunt. Postea venerunt duo
homines equites quorum vnus vocatur Alanus de Sumeresha', seruiens
domini Eogeri de Thurkeleby, et alius Vincencius filius Seluestri
capellani de Eowell', sequentes leporarium. Et dictus Alanus dixit
quod leporarius ille fuit leporarius domini sui et ab eo euasit, sicut
transiuit per mediam landam ; et ideo inuenit plegios respondendi
inde coram iusticiariis Eobertum filium Henrici de larewell' et lohan-
nem de Folkesworth'.
Plegii Vincencii respondendi inde coram iusticiariis ^ . . .
W. de Valenc' et lohannes comes Warenn' venerunt apud Gey-
tington' die ^ louis in crastino sancti Augustini anno eodem et ceperunt
in parco de Brixstok' quinque damos et duas damas, et die Veneris in
balliua de Eokingh' vnum ceruum septem damos et vnam damam ;
et die Sabbati in parco vnum damum, sex damas et in bosco de firma
vnum ceruum duos damos et quinque damas.
Dominus rex et regina venerunt apud Geytington' die "* louis in
octabis sancti lohannis Baptiste et perhendinauerunt per decern dies
sequentes et ceperunt venacionem pro uoluntate sua.
^Accidit die'' Sabbati proxima post Assumpcionem beate Marie
anno tricesimo nono quod Stephanus le Graung', garcio Willelmi
Chaumpeneys, uenit in Bassethawe, bosco domini Eoberti Basset,
post nonam ita quod inuenit in eodem bosco quatuor cordas extensas
circa vnum plateum aque ad feras capiendas. Statim monstrauit
hoc Eoberto de Audewincle et Waltero de Eose, forestariis peditibus,
qui tota nocte uigilauerunt ibi ad insidiandum si aliquis ueniret ad
predicta ingenia, et nemo ibi uenit.
In crastino, uero, scilicet, die Dominica inquisicio inde facta fuit
coram H. de Goldingham, senescallo foreste, et Willelmo de Camera
de Weledune, viridario, per villatas subscriptas, scilicet, Eiston, Deres-
' 12 May 1255. relate to matters which happened after the
''■ Six names. session in eyre at Northampton in the year
' 27 May 1255. 1255 had aheady begun. See p. 27, note
* 1 July, 1255. 2 above.
' The rest of the proceedings on this roll " 21 August 1255.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 113
It happened on the Wednesday • next after Ascension day in the
thirty-ninth year of the reign of king Henry that WilHam Champeneys,
riding forester, and Robert of Aldwinkle and his fellow, walking
foresters, came into the lawn of Beanfield at the ninth hour and so
they met at Abremannyslep a black brindled greyhound, which was
running after a herd of beasts, and they took it. Afterwards two men
on horseback, of whom one was called Alan of Somersham, the servant
of Sir Roger of Thirkleby, and the other Vincent the son of Sil-
vester the chaplain of Rothwell, came following the greyhound. And
the said Alan said that the greyhound belonged to his lord and escaped
from him, as he passed across the middle of the lawn. And therefore
he finds pledges of answering therefore before the justices, to wit,
Robert the son of Henry of Yarwell and John of Folksworth.
The pledges of Vincent answering therefor before the justices
were ...
W. de Valence and John, earl de Warrenne, came to Geddington on
Thursday ^ the morrow of St. Augustine in the same year and took five
bucks and two does in the park of Brigstock ; and on Friday in the
bailiwick of Rockingham a hart, seven bucks and a doe ; and on Satur-
day in the park one buck and six does ; and in the Farming wood a
hart, two bucks and five does.
The lord king and the queen came to Geddington on Thursday *
the octave of St. John the Baptist, and tarried there during the
eight following days ; and they took venison at their pleasure.
It happened on the Saturday '^ next after the Assumption of the
Blessed Mary in the thirty-ninth year, that Stephen le Graunger, the
page of William Champeneys, came to Bassethawe, the wood of
Sir Robert Basset, after noon, and so he found in the same wood four
strings stretched around a dish of water for the purpose of taking
beasts. Forthwith he showed this to Robert of Aldwinkle and Walter
de Rose, the walking foresters, who watched all night there to see, in
concealment, if anyone came to the aforesaid instruments, and no one
came there.
And on the morrow, to wit Sunday, an inquisition thereof was
made before Hugh of Goldingham, the steward of the forest, and
William of the chamber of Weldon, the verderer, by the underwritten
townships, to wit, Rushton, Desborough, Brampton and Stoke, who
114: SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
burg', Braumpton' et Stok', que plenarie uenerunt et iurate dixerunt
quod nichil inde sciuerunt.
Dominus Eobertus Basset comparuit et inuenit duodecim plegios
qui manuceperunt Petrum filium Marie de Eiston' forestarium de
bosco ubique eum producendi . . , .'
Corde predicte commisse fuerunt WiBelmo de Camera, viridario,
tenende coram iusticiariis.
Boscus captus fuit in manu domini regis.
Accidit die ^ Sabbati proxima ante festum saneti Matbei apostoli
anno regni regis tricesimo nono in uia regia de Wininge circa mediam
noctem quod Willelmus Weutrer et Elias de Stretford',. forestarii
pedites, uigilantes in balliua obuiauerunt tribus hominibus, quorum
vnus equitabat vnum equm ; et percipiens ille equitans dictos
forestarios effugit ; et dictus Willelmus traxit ad eum vnam sagittam,
vnde vnus saccus sanguinolentus et pilosus cecidit ab illo fugiente ;
quern saccum dicti forestarii inuenerunt. Postea dicti forestarii
obuiauerunt Thome filio Alexandri et Waltero filio Fythyhun de
Liuedene et ipsos arestari fecerunt ; vnde inquisicio super hoc facta
fuit per viridarios et forestarios et per quatuor villataa propinquiores
scilicet, Wadelio, Pilketon', Liueden', Stok'.
Liueden', iurata, dicit quod predicti Thomas et Walterus non
fuerunt in societate illius fugientis nee culpabiles alicuius venacionis
domini regis nee de sacco inuento per predictos forestarios.
Pilketon', Wadeho, Stok', iurate, concordant in omnibus cum
Liueden', primo iurata.
Saccus liberatus fuit tribus hominibus de Liueden', scilicet, Ber-
nardo, Ade filio Aldich, Henrico filio Allewyne ad proximum swani-
motum, et ad proximum swanimotum commissus fuit Eicardo de
Audewincle, viridario, ad tenendum coram iusticiariis foveste.
Willelmus Clifard' de Liueden, Adam filius Aldich de eadem et
Willelmus Cidera' de eadem manuceperunt predictos Thomam filium
Alexandri et Walterum filium Fythiun respondendi coram iusticiariis
foreste.
^ Accidit die ^ Lune proxima ante Natiuitatem beate Marie anno
tricesimo nono quod Thomas filius Eogeri filii Fulconis de Geytington'
' Twelve names. ^ 18 September 1255. corded on the eyre roll. Even the names of
* See p. 37 above. The account of the the persons implicated do not correspond,
trespass differs materially from that re- * 6 September 1255.
NORTIlAMrTONSIlIliE, A.D. 1255 114
came fully. They were sworn, and said that they knew nothing
thereof.
Sir Robert Basset appeared and found twelve pledges as main-
perners of Peter the son of Mary of Rush ton, the forester of the
wood, to produce him. wheresoever required.
The strings aforesaid were given to William of the chamber, the
verderer, to produce before the justices.
The wood was taken into the hands of the lord king.
It happened on the Saturday ^ next before the feast of St. Matthew
the Apostle in the thirty-ninth year of the reign of the king that
William Weutrer and Elias of Stretford, the walking foresters, as
they watched in their bailiwick, met in the king's highway from
Wininge about the middle of the night three men, one of whom rode
upon a horse. And the man on horseback, when he saw the said
foresters, fled. And the said William shot an arrow at him, where-
upon a sack, bloody and covered with hair, fell from him. And the
said foresters found the sack. Afterwards the said foresters met
Thomas the son of Alexander and Walter the son of Fythiun of
Lyveden, and caused them to be arrested ; wherefore an inquisition
was made thereupon by the foresters and verderers and by four
neighbouring townships, to wit, Wadenhoe, Pilton, Lyveden and Stoke.
Lyveden is sworn, and says that the aforesaid Thomas and Walter
were not in the company of the man who fled, nor were they guilty
of any offence against the venison of the lord king nor concerning the
sack found by the aforesaid foresters.
Pilton, Wadenhoe and Stoke are sworn, and agree in all respects
with Lyveden, which was first sworn.
The sack was delivered to three men of Lyveden, to wit, Bernard,
Adam the son of Aldich and Henry the son of Ailwin till the next
swanimote ; and at the next swanimote it was given to Richard
Aldwinkle, the verderer, to produce before the justices of the forest.
William Clifard of Lyveden, Adam the son of Aldich of the same
town and Willam Cideran of the same town were mainperners for the
aforesaid Thomas the son of Alexander and Walter the son of
Fythiun answering before the justices of the forest.
It happened on Monday ^ next before the Nativity of the Blessed
Mary in the thirty-ninth year that Thomas the son of Roger the son of
115 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIO^■S
venit in pareo de Brixstok' super Stocfoldeliil supra Osbern Ridyng'
circa horam terciam ita quod percepit vnum arcliitenentem cum arcu
et sagittis et vnum garcionem cum eo qui ceperant vnam feram que
iacuit coram eis. Et ipsi voluerunt tractare ad dictum Thomam, et
ipse fugit set nesquit qui ipsi fuerunt. Postea idem Thomas eodem
die ad noctem venit ad Eicardum de Horton' et Eobertum filium
Roberti de Geytirigton*, et monstrauit eis hoc factum ita quod ipsi
tres vigilauerunt extra villam de Geytington' ad insidiandum si
ahquis duceret carnem uersus uillam de Geytmgton. Et tunc
supervenit Eogerus clericus de eadem ita quod extra uillam
inuenerunt Hugonem Kydelomb de Geytington' cum quatuor spaulis
venacionis retentis, et vnum capud dami cum toto collo, et aliud capud
dame cum toto collo. Et interogauerunt dictum garcionem ubi
habuit dictam venacionem, et ipse dixit quod architenentes illam
ei dederunt in bosco eodem die ; set qui illi architenentes fuerunt
nesquit.
Postea intrauerunt uillam et Eicardus de Horton' stetit ad hostium
suum ita quod vidit Willelmum de Wermigton', fratrem Willelmi de
Wermigton', intrantem uillam cum arcu et sagittis, et cum eo vnum
garcionem equitantem vnum equm sorbauzwan ducentem venacionem.
Predictus garcio equitans percipiens predictum Eicardum reliquid equm
et fugit. Et predictus Willelmus ascendit equum et transiuit pontem
de Geytington' cum venacione et intrauit venellam uersus domum
"Willelmi de Wermigton', fratris sui.
Postea inquisicio facta fuit apud Geytiugt' die ^ Dominica proxima
post festum sancti Mathei apostoli coram domino G. de Leukenor',
H. de Goldingh' Eicardo de Audewincle, Willelmo de Camera
viridariis per quatuor villatas Geytington', Button', Wide et Parua
Neuton', que venerunt et, iurate, dixerunt per sacr amentum suum
quod nichil inde sciuerunt ; set melius intelligunt quod falsum sit
quam verum.
Eicardus de Horton' cognouit quod predictus Thomas habuit vnam
spauliam de dono predicti Hugonis Kydelomb et quod dictus Thomas
eidem Eicardo dedit inde ad manducandum.
Eogerus clericus inuenit plegios veniendi coram iusticiariis. . . .^
Thomas filius Eogeri inuenit plegios veniendi etc . . . .-
Eicardus de Horton' inuenit plegios veniendi coram iustici-
ariis . . . .^
AYillelmus de Wermigton' inuenit plegios de veLiendo coram
iusticiariis . . . .^
' 26 September 1255. • Four names.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.U. 12o.) 115
Fulk of Geddington came about the third hour into the park of Bjig-
stock at Stockfoldhill above Osbern Kiding. And so he perceived a
bowman with a bow and arrows, and a page with him, who had taken
a deer which lay in front of them. And they wished to shoot at the
said Thomas, and he fled, but he does not know who the men were.
Afterwards the same Thomas on the same day towards night came
to Eichard of Horton and Eobert the son of Eobert of Gedding-
ton and showed them wliat had happened, so that the three
watched outside the town of Geddington, to see in concealment if any-
one brought the flesh towards the town of Geddington. And then
Eoger the clerk, of the same town, came ; and so outside the town they
found Hugh Kydelomb of Geddington with four shoulders of venison,
which he had retained, and one head of a buck with the whole neck,
and one head of a doe with the whole neck. And they demanded of
the same page whence he had the said venison ; and he said that
some men with bows gave it to him in the wood on the same day,
but who the men with bows were he knew not.
Afterwards they entered the town and Eichard of Horton stood
at his door, so that he saw William of Warmington, the brother of
William of Warmington, entering the town with a bow and arrows
together with a page who rode upon a sorrel horse with white feet
and carried venison. The aforesaid boy on horseback, when he per-
ceived the aforesaid Eichard, left his horse and fled. And the afore-
said William mounted his horse and crossed Geddington bridge with
the venison, and entered the lane towards the house of William of
Warmington, his brother.
Afterwards an inquisition was made at Geddington on the Sunday ^
next after the feast of St. Mathew the Apostle before Sir Geoffrey
of Lewknor, Hugh of Goldingham, and Eichard of Aldwinkle and
William of the chamber, the verderers, by four townships, Geddington,
Boughton, Weekley, and Little Newton, who came and, being sworn,
said upon their oath that they knew nothing thereof ; but they rather
thought that it was false than true.
Eichard of Horton acknowledged that the aforesaid Thomas had a
shoulder of the aforesaid Hugh Kydelomb ; and that the said Thomas
gave part thereof to the same Eichard to eat.
Eoger the clerk finds pledges of coming before the justices. . . ?
Thomas the son of Eoger finds pledges of coming etc. . . ?
Eichard of Horton finds pledges of coming before the justices. . . .^
William of Warmmgton finds pledges of coming before the
justices. . . ?
116 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Predictus Hugo Kydelomb committitur toti villate de Geytington'
in ballium que eum manucepit producendi coram iusticiariis apud
Norhamt' in crastino sancti Michaelis.
Forestarii domini regis de parco de Brixstok' dicunt per sacra-
mentum suum quod Hugo filius persone de Grafton' est malefactor
in foresta de venacione domini regis et visus fuit in parco Brixstok'
die ^ Natiuitatis beate Marie circa horam nonam cum arcu et sagittis ;
et quidam alius cum eo cum arcu et sagittis ; et duxit vnum canem
rutfum coueyre ... set nullum recettum habent in patria quod
scire possunt.
Eicardus de Horton' dicit quod Eobertus de la Langel' venit de
bosco cum Hugone [Kydelomb et] fuit socius ad venacionem ferendam.
Dicit eciam quod Willelmus de Wermigton' et Colinus de Gey-
tington' sunt malefactores de venacione et consueuerunt malefacere in
hoc Augusto qualibet septimana et quod Willelmus Bolle forestariua
fuit consenciens eis, et bene sciuit de illo malefacto ; et dicit eciam
quod Eogerus Caperun bene sciuit de ilia venacione eadem nocte.
Dicit eciam quod Willelmus de Wermigton receptauit Willelmum
fratrem suum cum malefacto suo. Et Willelmus filius Fulconis
receptauit Colinum filium suum cum malefacto suo.
Liberata fuerunt Eadulfo vicario de Geytington' dua robora in
foresta de Geytington' de dono domini regis.
xm.»
PEBAMBULACIONES FOEESTAEUM FACTE IN DIUEESIS
COMITATIBUS ANNO EEGNI EEGIS EDWAEDI FILII
EEGIS HENEICI VICECIMO OCTAUO.
^ Eotel'."* — Perambulacio facta in comitatu Eoteland' coram Eogero
le Brabanzun et sociis suis die ^ Lune in crastino sancti Nicholai
' Wednesday, 8 September 1255. the reference is Forest Proceedings, Ancient
^ The letters patent and writs directing G/(a)!cm/, No. 102, but the forest of Windsor
the perambulations of Rutland and Surrey or Surrey, of which no part was disafforested
to be made are dated 27 September 1299 in consequence of the perambulations, is
and are recorded on Patent Roll 118, m. 9 ; not recorded on this roll,
those directing the perambulations of Not- ' Forest Proceedings, Ancient Chancery,
tingham and Warwick are dated 1 April No. 102, m. 15.
1300 and are recorded on Patent Roll 119, * The boundaries of the forest of Rutland
m. 19. The perambulations of Rutland, as they were in the reign of Henry iii. are
Nottingham and Warwick are recorded on printed on p. 53, above,
the Great Roll of Perambulations to which » 7 December 1299.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1255 116
The aforesaid Hugh Kydelomb is committed on bail to the whole
township of Geddington, who are mainperners to produce him before
the justices at Northampton on the morrow of St. Michael.
The foresters of the lord king of the park of Brigstock say upon
their oaths that Hugh the son of the parson of Grafton is an evil
doer in the forest to the venison of the lord king, and was seen in the
park of Brigstock with a bow and arrows on the day ^ of the Nativity of
the Blessed Mary about the ninth hour. And a certain other person
was with him with a bow and arrows ; and he led a red brindled dog ;
.... but they have no abode in the country of which they know.
Richard of Horton says that Robert of Langley came from the
wood with Hugh Kydelomb and helped him to carry the venison.
He says also that William of Warmington and Colin of Geddington
are evil doers to the venison and were in the habit of doing evil every
week in this August ; and that William Bolle, the forester, was privy
to them, and well knew of that evil doing ; and he says also that
Roger Caperun well knew of that venison on the same night.
He says also that William of Warmington harboured William, his
brother, with the fruit of his evil doing. And William the son of
Eulk haboured Colin his son with the fruit of his evil doing.
Two trees for fuel were delivered to Ralph the vicar of Geddington
in the forest of Geddington, of the gift of the lord king.
XIII.
PERAMBULATIONS OF THE FORESTS MADE IN DIVERS
COUNTIES IN THE TWENTY-EIGHTH YEAR OF THE
REIGN OF KING EDWARD THE SON OF KING HENRY.
Rutland. — Perambulation made in the county of Rutland before
Roger le Brabancon and his fellows on Monday ^ the morrow of St.
117 SELECT FOREST PERAMBULATIONS
anno regni regis Edwardi vicesimo octauo per sacramentum lobannis
de Hotot, Robert! ad Aulam, Willelmi de TolthoriD, Eicardi Tayllard,
Eadulfi de Bella fago, Willelmo de sancto Licio, Eicardi de Middelton',
Eoberti de Bella fago, Walteri de Sculthorp', Eadulfi de Empingbam,
Eeginaldi de Seyton', Eoberti de Casterton', Henrici le Tannur de
Okbam, lobannis Basset, Eoberti de Castre, Eicardi ad Aulam,
lobannis de Braunston' et Eoberti de Scultborp', qui dicunt super
sacramentum suum de cooperto foreste quod tamdiu exstitit in foresta
quod nesciunt a quo tempore. Et dicunt quod omnes ville et terre
extra metas et bundas subscriptas versus le Stubbedeston' et versus
Staunford' preter quandam placeam, que vocatur Wbiccbele, videlicet,
de Braunteston' vsque Brok' et de Brok' vsque Eidelington' et deinde
vsque Asteneston' et deinde vsque Uppingba' includendo predictas
villas de Braunteston' et alias versus forestam ; et de Uppingbam
vsque in le Eedegate, et sic sequendo le Eedegate vsque in le Brode-
gate ; et sic vsque ad Lidenton', et per medium Lidenton' ; et deinde
vsque Caldecote ; et deinde vsque in aquam de Litele afibrestati
fuerunt tempore regis lobannis.
In cuius rei testimonium buic scripto sigilla nostra apposuimus.
Data apud Okbam die et anno supradictis.
' Wyndesor'.— Perambulacio facta de foresta deWyndesor' in comi-
tatu Surr' die - Sabbati proxima ante festum sancti Gregorii pape anno
regni regis Edwardi vicesimo octauo apud Lambebeeth' coram Eogero
Brabazon', lobanne de Berewyk', Eadulpbo de Hengham, Willelmo
Inge et lobanne de Crokesle in presencia Pbilippi de Sai, clerici
iusticiarii foreste, forestariorum, viridariorum foreste predicte per
sacramentum Willelmi Aumbesas, lobannis de Burstowe, Eoberti de
Bekweir, militum, Eoberti le Dol, Eoberti de Waletone, Willelmi de
Nortbwode, lobannis Prodhomme, Eoberti atte Sonde, Nicbolai de
Westone, Eicardi de Horton', Edmundi de Ottewortb' et lobannis de
Farnbam ; qui dicunt super sacramento suo quod totus comitatus
de Surr' fuit foresta tempore Henrici regis proaui regis nunc, unde
idem Henricus rex obiit seisitus ; et ita remansit foresta vsque ad
quartum diem Decembris anno regni regis Eicardi prime, qui tunc
' Forest Proceedings, Ancient Chancery, found to be the same as they had hitherto
No. 106. The Great lioU of Perambulations been considered to be, there was no district
mentioned in Note 2, p. 116 above contains to be disafforested, and there were therefore
letters patent with recitals of the perambu- no letters patent to be enrolled on the
lations then recentlj' made, which dis- Great Eoll. The boundaries of the forest
afforested the districts lying outside the of Surrey, as they were in the latter part of
boundaries so ascertained. As the the reign of Henry iii., are printed on p. 61
boundaries of the forest of Surrey were above. ^ Saturday, 5 March 1299-1300.
EUTLANU, A.D. 1299 117
Nicholas in the twenty-eighth year of the reign of king Edward by the
oath of John of Huttoft, Robert atte Hall, William of Tolthorp, Richard
Tayllard, Ralph de Beaufay, William de Senlis, Richard of Middle-
ton, Robert de Beaufay, Walter of Sculthorpe, Ralph of Empingham,
Reynold of Seaton, Robert of Casterton, Henry the tanner of Oakham,
John Basset, Robert of Castor, Richard atte Hall, John of Bramiston,
and Robert of Sculthorpe ; who say upon their oath as to the covert
of the forest, that it has been so long in the forest that they know
not from what time. And they say that all the towns and lands
outside the underwritten metes and bounds towards Stumpsden and
towards Stamford, except a certain place which is called Whitchley,
to wit from Braunston to Brooke and from Brooke to Ridlington, and
from there to Ayston, and from there to Uppingham, including the
aforesaid towns of Braunston and others towards the forest, and from
Uppingham to the Redgate and so following the Redgate as far aa
the Broadgate, and so as far as Liddington and through Liddington,
and so as far as Caldecott ; and so into the water of the Little Eye,
were afforested in the time of king John.
In witness whereof we have put our seals to this writing.
Given at Oakham on the day and year above written.
WiNDSon.— The perambulation of the forest of Windsor in the county
of Surrey made on the Saturday- next before the feast of St. Gregory
the pope in the twenty-eighth year of the reign of king Edward at
Lambeth before Roger Brabancon, John of Berwick, Ralph of Hingham,
William Inge, and John of Croxley in the presence of Philip de Sai,
clerk of the justice of the forest, the foresters and verderers of the forest
aforesaid by the oath of William Aumbesas, John of Burstow, Robert of
Bekwell, knights, Robert le Dol, Robert of Walton, WilHam of North -
wood, John Prodhomme, Robert atte Send, Nicholas of Weston, Richard
of Horton, Edmund of Utworth and John of Farnham, who say
upon their oath that the whole county of Surrey was forest in the
time of king Henry the great-grandfather of the king who now is,
and the same king Henry died seised of it ; and so it remained
forest until the fourth day of December in the first year of the reign
118 SELECT FOREST PERAMBULATIONS
deafforestauit quandam partem ipsius comitatus per certas metas que
continentiir in carta ipsius regis Eicardi inde facta, videlicet inter
Canciam et aquam, que dicitur Waye, et de monte ' de Guldedone
quantum comitatus Surr' durat versus meridiem ; et residuum comi-
tatus predicti, scilicet, incipiendo ad aquam de Waye per montem de
Guldedoune, quantum comitatus Surr' durat versus aquilonem, reman-
sit et est foresta. Etpost illius carte confeccionem nichil afforestatum
vel occupatum fuit per ipsum regem Ricardum nee per regem
lohannem nee per aliquem alium.
Dicunt eciam quod non sciunt quod aliquid de comitatu predicto
afforestatum fuit per predictum Henricum proauum regis nunc.
In cuius rei testimonium iurati predicti sigilla sua aj^posuerunt.'
^Notingh'. — Perambulacio facta in comitatu Notingh' die'* Veneris
proxima post festum sancti Barnabe apostoli anno regni domini regis
Edwardi filii domini regis Henrici vicesimo octauo coram lohanne de
Lythegreyns, lohanne Byrun, Michaele de Hartecla, Harsculpho de
Cleseby, Adam de Crokedayk' et Ricardo Oysel ad illam per breue
domini regis faciendam assignatis in presencia Hugonis de Louther,
attornati domini Eoberti de Clifford' tunc iusticiarii forestarum
domini regis vltra Trentam per litteras ipsius Eoberti patentes, et in
presencia forestariorum et viridariorum foreste de Schirewode per
sacramentum Geruasii de Clifton', lohannis Burdon', loliannis de
Leek', Eogero de sancto Andrea, Eanulplii de Wandeslay, Thome
Malet, Eicardi Pauely, Willelmi de Colewyk', militum, Eoberti de
Kynmerley, Fulconis de Houetoft, Petri de Ludeham et Nicholai de
Insula, seruientum ^ \ qui dicunt super sacramentum suum, quod
perambulacio ^ foreste domini regis de Schirewode incipit ad vadum de
Conyngeswath' per chiminum quod se extendit vsque ad villam de
' Now known as the Hog's Back. to which the reference is Fore&i Proceedings,
The following entry is enrolled upon Ancient Chancery, No. 44.
the Great Roll of the Pipe of 2 Eic. i. : ^ 17 June 1300.
' Milites de Surreia reddunt compotum de ^ The use of this word is remarkable.
CO marcis ut sint amodo quieti de omnibus The four persons it describes were not
que pertinent ad forestam ab aqua Waie forest oilicers but landowners who were not
usque Cantiam et a strata de Geldedon knights. ' Libere tenentes ' would be the
uersus merediem quantum Surreia extendit.' words ordinarily used to describe them.
* The whole of the forest of Surrey was " The boundaries are traced from a
disafforested by letters patent dated 26 De- point in the north of the forest through its
cember 1327 (see Patent Eoll 168, m. 3), eastern extremity as far as Nottingham in
but it was again afforested according to the south. It is then traced from the
the above boundaries by letters close dated same point in the north through its
4 August 1333. See Close Roll 160, m. 3. western extremity as far as Nottingham.
^ Forest Proceedings, Ancient Chancer ij, Many of the places mentioned in the
No. 102, m. 10. There is another MS. of perambulation are no longer marked in the
this perambulation in the Eecord Office, maps.
SURREY, A.D. 1300 US
of king Richard, who then disafforested a certain part of the same
county by certain metes, which are contained in the charter of the
same king Richard made concerning them, to wit, between Kent and
the water which is called the Wey, and from the hill of Guild Down,
as far as the county of Surrey extends towards the south ; and the rest
of the county aforesaid, to wit, beginning at the water of the Wey,
as far as the county of Surrey extends, to the north of the hill of
Guild Down, remained and is forest. And after that charter was made
nothing was afforested or occupied by king Richard or by king John
or by anybody else.
They say also that they do not know that any part of the county
aforesaid was afforested by the aforesaid Henry the great-grandfather
of the king who now is.
In witness whereof the aforesaid jurors have put their seals.
Nottingham. — The perambulation made in tlie county of Notting-
ham on the Friday '' next after the feast of St. Barnabas the apostle in
the twenty-eighth year of the reign of the lord king Edward the son
of the lord king Henry before John of Lythegreyns, John Byron,
Michael of Hartley, Hasculph of Cleasby, Adam of Crookdake and
Richard Oysel assigned to make that perambulation by the writ
of the lord king, in the presence of Hugh of Lowther, the attorney of
Sir Robert of Clifford, then justice of the forests of the lord king
beyond Trent, by the letters patent of the same Robert, and in the
presence of the foresters and verderers of the forest of Sherwood by
the oath of Gervais of Clifton, John Burdon, John of Leake, Roger
of St. Andrews, Ranulph of Wansley, Thomas Malet, Richard
Pavely, William of Colwick, knights, Robert of Kimberley, Fulk of
Huttoft, Peter of Ludham and Nicholas de I'lsle, Serjeants ; who
say upon their oath, that the perambulation of the lord king's forest
of Sherwood begins at the ford of Conyngeswater, along the road
119 SELECT FOREST PERAMBULATIONS
Wellehawe versus Notingh', ita quod clausum ville de Wellehawe est
extra forestam, et sic deinde per idem chiminum quod se extendit
inter Wellehawe et Notingh' vsque ad quandam particulam bosci, qui
vocatur Littelhawe, et sic ascendendo per quandam viam versus
occidentem inter dictum boscum et boscum abbatis de Eufford', qui
vocatur Brunne et extendit se vsque Eeynewathford', et deinde
diuertendo per quandam viam versus orientem inter predictum
]:)0scum de Littelhawe et boscum de Blitheworth' vsque ad predictum
magnum chiminum quod se extendit de Wellehawe versus Notingh'
vsque Bakestanhowe super illud idem magnum chiminum, et sic
deinde per idem chiminum vsque ad locum ilium vbi riuulus de
Douerbek' pertransit predictum chiminum, et deinde sicut riuulus
predictus de Douerbek' descendit in aquam que vocatur Trente et sic
in longo per eandem aquam de Trente ascendendo vsque ad pontem
Notingh'.
Incipit eciam perambulacio predicta in eodem comitatu Notingh'
ad predictum vadum de Conyngeswath' ascendendo versus occidentem
per aquam que vocatur Medine vsque ad villam que vocatur Warsop',
et ab eadem villa ascendendo per eandem aquam vsque ad parcum de
Pleseley, et deinde ascendendo per ipsam aquam vsque ad Haytrebrigge,
et deinde diuertendo per magnum chiminum de Notingh' vsque ad
pontem de Mulneford', et deinde ascendendo vsque Mamesheued, et
deinde inter campos de Herdewyk' et de Kyrkeby et moram de
Kyrkeby usque ad angulum, qui vocatur Nonneker, et deinde per
assartum Ywayn Breton' vsque ad Tarlesty, et deinde vsque ad Stole-
gate, et deinde per magnum chiminum vsque subtus vetus castel-
larium de Anneslay, et ab ipso castellario per magnum chiminum
vsque ad villam de Lyndeby, et deinde per mediam villam de
Lyndeby vsque ad molendinum eiusdem ville super aquam de Lene,
et deinde descendendo per ipsam aquam vsque ad villam de Lenton', et
deinde sicut ipsa aqua antiquitus currere solebat vsque in aquam que
dicitur Trente, et sic descendendo ' per ipsam aquam de Trente vsque
ad pontem Notingh' predictum.
^Warr'. — Perambulacio illius partis foreste de Fecham que est in
comitatu Warr' facta die ^ Mercurii in festo apostolorum Petri et Pauli
' The reading of the pmicipal manu- this perambulation at the Record Office, the
script (No. 102) is ' ascendendo ; ' but in the reference to it being Forest Procecdivqa,
other (No. 44) it is 'descendendo,' which Ancient Chancery, No. 34, but very httle
is correct. of it is now legible.
- Memb. 15. There is another copy of ^ 29 June 1800.
NOTTINGHAM, AD. 1300 119
which leads as far as the town of Wellow towards Nottingham, so
that the close of the town of Wellow is outside the forest, and so by
the road which goes between Wellow and Nottingham to a certain
parcel of wood which is called Littelhawe ; and so ascending by a
certain way towards the west between the said wood and the wood of
the abbot of Kufford, which is called Brown, and extends as far as
Eainworthford ; and thence turning aside by a certain road towards
the east between the aforesaid wood of Littelhawe and the wood of
Blidworth as far as the aforesaid great road, which leads from
Wellow towards Nottingham as far as Bakestanehowe on that same
great road ; and so by the same road as far as the place where the
rivulet of Dover Beck crosses the aforesaid road ; and thence as the
aforesaid rivulet of Dover Beck descends into the water which is
called the Trent ; and so along the same water of the Trent upwards
to Nottingham bridge.
The aforesaid perambulation also begins in the same county of
Nottingham at the aforesaid ford of Conyngeswater, ascending towards
the west by the water which is called Meden as far as the town which
is called Warsop, and from that town ascending by the same water as far
as Pleasley park ; and thence ascending by the same water as far as
Haytrebridge ; and thence turning aside along the high road of Notting-
ham as far as the bridge of Milneford ; and thence ascending as far
as Mameshead ; and thence between the fields of Hardwick and of
Kirkby and the moor of Kirkby as far as the corner which is called
Nonneker ; and thence through the assart of Ywayn le Breton as far
as Tarlesty ; and thence as far as Stolegate ; and thence along the high
road as far as beneath the old castle of Annesley ; and from the same
castle along the high road as far as the town of Linby ; and thence
through the middle of the town of Linby as far as the mill of the same
town on the water of the Leen ; and from thence descending by the
same water as far as the town of Lenton, and thence as that water
was anciently wont to run as far as the water which is called the
Trent, and so descending by the same water of the Trent as far as
Nottingham bridge aforesaid.
Waiuvick. — The perambulation of that part of the forest of
Feckenham which is in the county of Warwick, made on Wednesday^
the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul, in the twenty-eighth year of
120 SELECT FOREST PERAMBULATIONS
anno regni regis Edwardi vicesimo octauo inpresencia Willelmi Ingge,
Henrici de Cobeham, Willelmi de Mortuo Mari et Nicholai Fermbaud,
iusticiariorum domini regis ad perambulacionem in comitatu predicto
faciendam assignatorum, et per visum lohannis de Boylonde positi
loco Hugonis le Despens' iusticiarii foreste domini regis citra Trentam
et in presencia lohannis de Scheluestrode custodis foreste predicte.
Et quia nullus forestarius de feodo nee viridarius est in comitatu isto
perambulacio facta est per sacramentum lohannis de Somery, Eicardi
Turreuille, Petri de Wolwardinton' miHtum, Galfridi de Hamburi,
Willelmi de Leye, Alexandri de Orenlefeld', lohannis de Wilmecote,
Roberti Lyuet, Willelmi de Whitinton', Rogeri de Holte, Henrici de
Cliue, Willelmi de Hippewelle, Roberti de Val, lohannis Passelewe,
Roberti Baldewyne, Roberti de Wytheleye, Nicholai de Kyngleye,
lordani de la Wodegate, Eicardi de Gretenock' et Willelmi Wyberd de
Schraueleye iuratorum ; qui, visa parte illius foreste predicta existente
in comitatu Warr', dicunt quod mete et bunde eiusdem foreste,' que
nunc sunt in eodem comitatu, incipiunt apud la Eededich in villa de
Hippesleye et sic descendendo per altam viam vsque ad riueram de
Arewe ; et deinde descendendo per eandem riueram vsque in
ripariam de Auene et sic descendendo per eandem ripariam de
Auene vsque ad locum qui vocatur Honyhamsterte ; et ab illo loco
vsque ad quercum que vocatur Tokenock' secundum quod mete et
diuise se habent inter comitatum Wj'gorn' et comitatum Warr' ; et
del Tokenock' vsque ad locum qui vocatur Smethehedleye per easdem
divisas ; et de Smethehedleye vsque le Eededich' in Hippesleye vbi
mete et bunde predicte prius inceperunt.
Et dicunt quod infra predictas bundas dominus lohannes rex auus
domini regis nunc afforestauit omnes villas et hameletta subscripta
cum boscis vastis et planis earumdem villarum et hamelettorum ad
dampnum dominorum subscriptorum tenendum villas et hameletta
predicta, scilicet, quandam partem de Hippesleye versus occidentem
cum bosco quam lohannes Hubaud tenet, villam de Stodleye cum
bosco citra riueram de Arewe, quam prior de Stodle3'e et magister
milicie Templi in Anglia tenent, villam de Somburne cum membris
bosco et piano, quam abbas de Euesham tenet, illam partem ville de
Cocton' cum bosco et piano, que est citra riueram de Arewe versus
occidentem, quam Willelmus de Spineto tenet, villam de Alicestr' cum
bosco et piano, quam Walterus de Bello Campo et Willelmus de
Botereaus tenent, situm grangie de Caldewelle, quem abbas de Alicestr'
' Apparently the forest extended over the river Arrow and the boundary between
that part of the county which lay between Warwick and Worcester.
WARWICK, A.D. 130U 120
the reign of king Edward in the presence of William Inge, Henry of
Cobham, William de Mortemer and Nicholas Fermbaud, justices of
the lord king assigned for making the perambulation in the county
aforesaid, and by the view of John of Boyland, put in the place of
Hugh le Despencer, the justice of the forest of the lord king on this
side Trent, and in the presence of John of Scheluestrode, the warden
of the forest aforesaid. And because there is no forester in fee and
no verderer in this county, the perambulation is made by the oath of
John de Sommery, Eichard Turville, Peter of Wolverton, knights,
Geoffrey of Hanbury, William of Leigh, Alexander of Orenlefeld, John
of Wilmcote, Eobert Lyvet, William of Whittington, Roger of Holt,
Henry of Cleeve, William of Hippewelle, Eobert de Val, John Passe-
lewe, Eobert Baldwin, Eobert of Weethley, Nicholas of Kingsley,
Jordan de la Wodegate, Eichard of Gretenock and William Wyberd
of Shrawley, jurors ; who, after a view of that part of the forest
aforesaid which is in the county of Warwick, say that the metes and
bounds of the same forest which now are in the same county begin at
Eedditch in the town of Ipsley, and so descending by the high road to
the river Arrow ; and from there descending by the same river as far as
the river Avon as far as the place which is called Honyhamsterte ; and
from that place as far as the oak, which is called Tokenoak, according
as the metes and bounds lie between the county of Worcester and the
county of Warwick ; and from the Tokenoak as far as the place which
is called Smethehedleye and from Smethehedleye as far as the
Eedditch in Ipsley, where the metes and bounds aforesaid first began.
And they say that within the aforesaid bounds the lord king John
the grandfather of the lord king who now is afforested all the under-
written towns and hamlets together with the woods, wastes and plains
of the same towns and hamlets to the damage of the underwritten
lords who hold the towns and hamlets aforesaid, to wit, a certain part
of Ipsley towards the west together with the wood which John
Hubaud holds, the town of Studley with the wood on this side of the
river Arrow, which the prior of Studley and the master of the Knights
Templars in England hold, the town of Sambourn with its members,
and its wood and plain, which the abbot of Evesham holds, that
part of the town of Coughton with its wood and plain, which is on
the side of the river Arrow towards the west, which William of
Spinney holds, the town of Alcester with its wood and plain which
Walter de Beauchamp and Wilham de Bottereaux hold, the site of the
grange of Caldwell, which the abbot of Alcester holds, the town of
121 SELECT FOREST PERAMBULATIONS
tenet, villam de Arewe cum membris et bosco quam Gerardus de
Camuille tenet, villam Maioris Saltford' cum membris et bosco quam
prior de Kenyleworthe tenet, villam de Salteforde Abbatis cum bosco
quam abbas de Euesham tenet, villam de Wytlieleye cum bosco quam
Alexander de Abetot tenet.
Et omnes ville predicte et hameletta cum boscis vastis et planis
fuerunt afforestati^ per predictum lohannem regem ad dampnum
omnium tenendum supradictorum vnde dicunt quod primo anno
coronacionis domini Henrici regis proaui domini regis nunc nulla fuit
foresta in comitatu Warr' nee aliqua pars foreste de Fecham fuit in
comitatu isto. Set dicunt quod quedam pars ville de Tardebigge
quam abbas de Bordesleye tenet et que tempore coronacionis predicti
domini regis proaui domini regis nunc fuit in comitatu Staff' modo est
in comitatu isto ; que quidem pars se extendit per regalem viam que
ducit de villa de Bremesgraue versus villam de Alcestr' a sichetto qui
vocatur Wychibrock' vsque ad Foxliuntelidgate ex parte occidentali
eiusdem vie ; set quis eam afforestauit seu cuius regis tempore ilia
pars fuit afforestata ignorant, Et iurati quesiti qualiter constat eis
quod predictus dominus Johannes rex aiforestauit omnia maneria
villas et hameletta predicta dicunt quod ex relatu antecessorum suorum
et j)er commune dictum patrie.
In cuius rei testimonium predicti iuratores huic perambulacioni
eiRilla sua anposuerunt.
XIV. (a). 2
INQUISICIO DE BALLIUA lOHANNIS FILII NIGELLI IN
FOEESTA DE BERNWODE.
Inquisicio facta per preceptum domini regis apud Herteleye in
foresta de Bernwode die ^ Sabati proxima ante festum sancti Lau-
rencii anno regni regis Henrici filii regis lohannis quinquagesimo de
hoc quod cum lohannes filius Nigelli teneat balliuam foreste domini
regis de Bernwode iure hereditario et dominus rex super hiis que ad
ipsum lohannem pertineant racione balliue predicte voluerit cerciorari
et cuiusmodi iura et consuetudines occasione predicte balliue habere
• MS. ' afforeste.' ' Inquisit. post mort. 50 Hen. iii. No, 25. ' 7 August 1266.
WARWICK, AD. 1300 121
Arrow with its members and wood which Gerard de Camville holds,
the town of Greater Salford with its members which the prior of
Kenilworth holds, the town of Abbot's Salford with its wood which
the abbot of Evesham holds, the town of Weethley with its wood which
Alexander de Abbetot holds.
And all the towns aforesaid and hamlets with their woods, wastes,
and plains were afforested by the aforesaid king John to the damage
of all the tenants above mentioned. And concerning this they say
that in the first year of the coronation of the lord king Henry the
great-grandfather of the lord king who now is, there was no forest in
the county of Warwick, nor was any part of the forest of Feckenham
in that county. But they say that a certain part of the town of
Tardebigge, which the abbot of Bordsley holds, and which at the time
of the coronation of the aforesaid lord king the great-grandfather of
the lord king who now is, was in the county of Stafford, is now in
this county. And this part extends along the king's highway which
leads from the town of Bromsgrove towards the town of Alcester, from
the brook which is called Wychibrook as far as Foxhunt Lydiate to
the west of the same highway. But who afforested it, or in the time
of what king that part was afforested, they know not.
And the jurors, on being asked how they know that the aforesaid
lord king John afforested all the manors, towns, and hamlets aforesaid,
say that they know by what their ancestors have related and by the
common talk of the country.
In witness whereof the aforesaid jurors have put their seals to this
perambulation.
XIV. (a).
AN INQUISITION CONCEKNING THE BAILIWICK OF JOHN
THE SON OF NIGEL IN THE FOEEST OF BEKNWOOD.
An inquisition made by the order of the lord king at Herteleye in
the forest of Bern wood on the Saturday ^ next before the feast of St.
Lawrence in the fiftieth year of the reign of king Henry the son of king
John of this, that, whereas John the son of Nigel holds the baihwick of
the lord king's forest of Bernwood by hereditary right, the lord king
wishes to be certified as to those things which belong to the same John
by reason of the aforesaid bailiwick, and what sort of rights and customs
he ought to have by reason of the aforesaid bailiwick, and what sort
122 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
debeat et cuiusmodi seruicia domino regi inde facere debeat, per
sacramentum . . . . ; qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod
predictus lohannes filius Nigelli tenet iure hereditario de domino rege
balliuam tocius foreste domini regis de Bernwode, scilicet, a la Stony-
forde vsque ad quamdam aquam que vocatur la Burne que currit inter
Stepel Cleyndon' et Padebury.
Et habet de iure racione predicte balliue clieminagium per totam
predictam balliuam.
Idem habet et de iure habere debet per predictam balliuam racione
eiusdem balliue ligna prostrata per ventum, quod quidam vocatur
chableiz, et hoc in forma subscripta, scilicet, quod si ventus prosternat
vna nocte uel vno die decem ligna dominus rex ea omnia habebit, si
autem ventus prosternat vna nocte uel vno die minus quam decem ligna
predictus lohannes filius Nigelli habebit ea omnia.
Item idem lohannes habet racione eiusdem balliue omnes coporones
et zuchas de omnibus lignis que dominus rex dat uel vendit uel ad
opus suum proprium capit in omnibus dominicis boscis suis infra pre-
dictam forestam.
^ Item idem lohannes habet de iure racione eiusdem balliue omnia
attachiamenta et exitus attachiamentorum factorum de minuta spina,
scilicet de tali spina, que non potest pati perforari de tarrera que
vocatur Eestnauegar.
Item idem habet et de iure habere debet racione eiusdem balliue
retropannagium.
Item idem habet omnes nuces crescentes in omnibus dominicis
boscis domini regis per totam predictam balliuam.
Item idem habet racione eiusdem balliue totum mortuum boscum
in dominicis boscis domini regis infra dictam balliuam.
Et idem lohannes filius Nigelli tenet de domino rege vnam hidam
terre in Borstalle, que vocatur Derhide ; et reddit inde domino regi
per annum decem solidos.
Et pro omnibus aliis predictis rebus idem lohannes custodit bal-
liuam tocius predicte foreste et similiter pro eisdem rebus reddit
domino regi per annum quadraginta sohdos sterlingorum.
' Two passages similar to this occur in tarere que uocatur restnauegar' {Rotuli
the Hundred Rolls, but they are incorrectly Hundredorum, i. 22) ;
printed in Rotuli Hundredorum. The true and,
readings are as follows : ' Dicunt quod idem I. habebit minutas
' Item de subbosco intelligimus quod spinas illas, scilicet, que non possunt pati
minute spine pertinent ad suam balliuam, tareram que uocatur restnaweger (ibid. i.
que non possunt sustinere foramen unius 26).
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, A.D. 1266 122
of services he ought to do therefor to the lord king, by the oath of
who say upon their oath that the aforesaid John the son of
Nigel holds of the lord king by hereditary right the bailiwick of all
the lord king's forest of Bernwood, to wit from the Stonyford as far
as a certain water which is called la Burne, which runs between
Steeple Claydon and Padbury.
And he has of right by reason of the aforesaid bailiwick chimiuage
throughout all the aforesaid bailiwick.
He has and he ought of hereditary right to have throughout the
aforesaid bailiwick by reason of the same bailiwick trees felled by
the wind, which is called cablish, and that in the form underwritten,
to wit, that, if the wind fells ten trees in one night and one day, the
lord king will have them all, but if the wind fells less than ten trees
in one night and one day, the aforesaid John the son of Nigel will
have them all.
Also the same John has by reason of the same bailiwick all crops
and roots from all trees which the lord king gives or sells or takes for
his own use in all his demesne woods within the aforesaid forest.
Also the same John has of right by reason of the same bailiwick
all attachments and issues of attachments made of small thorns, to
wit, of such a thorn as cannot be perforated by an auger which is
called * Eestnauegar.'
Also he has and of right ought to have by reason of the same
bailiwick after-pannage.
Also he has all nuts growing in all the demesne woods of the lord
king through all the aforesaid bailiwick.
Also he has by reason of the same bailiwick all the dead wood in
the demesne woods of the lord king within the aforesaid bailiwick.
And the same John the son of Nigel holds of the lord king a hide
of land in Boarstall, which is called Deerhide ; and he renders ten
shillings a year therefor to the lord king.
And for all the other aforesaid things the same John guards the
bailiwick of all the aforesaid forest, and likewise for the same things
he renders forty shillings sterling a year to the lord king.
123 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
XIV. (h).'
INQUISICIO DE BALLIUA ELYE DE TYNGEWYK' IN
FOEESTA DE WYTTLEWOD'.
Inquisicio facta apud Buk' die ^ louis proxima ante festum sancte
Margarete anno regni regis Edwardi sexto coram Eogero^ de Clifford,
iusticiario foreste, per viridarios forestarie de Wy ttlewod' , Eobertum
Mauncel, Walterum de Fortho, lohannem Gobyoun et Gilebertum de
Morton' et viginti et quatuor tarn milites quam alios de comitatu
Buk' et Norhamt', videlicet, ......
que et cuiusmodi res ad balliuam Elye de Tyngewyk' in foresta de
Wyttlewod' pertineant et qualiter et quibus condicionibus forestarii
earn tenuerunt antequam dominus rex Henricus dedisset et concessisset
eidem Elye balliuam foreste predicte et parci de Hanleye et qualiter
prefatus Elyas eandem balliuam tenuit a tempore donacionis predicte ;
qui omnes iuratores dicunt per sacramentum suum quod Hugo" de
Stratford quondam forestarius de feodo de balliua de Wakefeud
reddidit per annum domino lohanni ^ de Neuyle, tune senescallo
foreste, pro predicta balliua ad firmam duas marcas et dimidiam ad
duos anni terminos, videlicet, ad festum sancti Michaelis et ad festum
Anunciacionis beate Marie per equales porciones et duo quarteria
nucium pro nucibus in dominico domini regis et triginta aucas et
triginta gallinas et ducenta oua ; et cepit tempore suo de villata de
Deneshangere de qualibet virgata terre vnum quarterium auene pro
claustura habenda ad blada sua, et pro mortuo bosco colligendo ad
focum suum in dominico bosco domini regis ; et de eadem villa cepit
de qualibet domo vnam aucam et vnam gallinam per annum, et dedit
eisdem hominibus housbote et heybote et clausturam circa blada sua
Bicut predictum est de dominico predicto.
Item idem Hugo habuit totum comodum de nucibus in dominico
predicto per annum.
' Ing^uisition. post mortem, 6 Ed. i. No. Rottili Hundredorum, i. 31). As to the ap-
Bl. pointment of Eobert Passelewe see p. 22,
2 14 July 1278. n. 2, above.
" Eoger of Clifford the younger was ap- ^ John de Neville had the custody of the
pointed justice of the forest south of Trent forest between the bridges of Stamford and
by letters patent dated 1 August 1270. See Oxford for his life by the grant of his father
Fine Roll 67, m. 5. Hugh, who also held it for life. John made
* Hugh of Stratford and Wibert of Tow- fine with the king for having the bailiwick
cester lost their bailiwicks when Robert by three hundred marks in the month of
Passelewe was justice of the forest (see July 1234. See Fine Roll 33, m. 6.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1278 123
XIV. (b).'
AN INQUISITION CONCEENING THE BAILIWICK OF ELIAS
OF TINGEWICK IN THE FOEEST OF WHITTLEWOOD.
An inquisition made at Buckingham on the Thursday ^ next before
the feast of St. Margaret in the sixth year of the reign of king
Edward before Eoger of Chfford, justice of the forest, by the verderers
of the forest baiHwick of Whittlewood, Eobert Maunsel, Walter of
Furtho, John Gobyon, and Gilbert of Morton, and twenty-four as
well knights as others of the counties of Buckingham and Northamp-
ton, to wit, ........
as to what and what sort of things belong to the bailiwick of Elias
of Tingewick in the forest of Whittlevv'ood and how and under what
conditions the foresters held it before the lord king Henry gave and
granted to the same Elias the bailiwick of the forest aforesaid and
of the park of Handley ; and how the aforesaid Elias held the same
bailiwick from the time of the gift aforesaid ; all which jurors say
upon their oath that Hugh of Stratford, sometime forester in fee
of the bailiwick of Wakefield, rendered to Sir John de Neville, then
steward of the forest, as a farm for the aforesaid bailiwick two and a
half marks a year at two terms of the year, to wit, at the feast of
St. Michael and at the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary
by equal portions, and two quarters of nuts for nuts in the demesne
of the lord king and thirty geese and thirty hens and two hundred
eggs ; and he took in his time from the township of Denshanger
for every virgate of land one quarter of wheat in return for their
having paling for their corn and for collecting dead wood for their
fuel in the demesne wood of the lord king ; and from the same town
he took from every house a goose and a hen in every year ; and
he gave to the same men housebote and haybote and paling to
surround their corn, as has been before said, from the demesne
aforesaid.
And the same Hugh had all the profit from the nuts in the
demesne aforesaid in every year.
124 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Item idem Hugo habuit retropannagium post festum sancti
Martini, et fecit porcarios in foresta ad voluntatem suam.
Et cepit toto tempore suo de villa de Estpeir' et de lerdele de
qualibet virgata terre imam aiicam et miam gallinam et quatuor
denarios per annum et unum quarterium auene, de Westratford et de
Toruestone duodecim denarios pro claustura et pro mortuo bosco
habendo in dominico ut predictum est.
Et solebat colligere oua per totam balliuam suam de Wakefeld et
solebat habere chiminagium per totam balliuam suam.
Et solebat habere totum mortuum boscum in balliua predicta et
aueria sua propria pascencia per totam balliuam predictam.
Wibertus de Toucestre reddidit per annum predicto domino
lohanni de Neuill' pro balliua de Haselburwe decem solidos ad terminos
predictos et habuit in ballia sua omnia uetera robora ad opus suum
proprium. Et si dominus rex dedisset aliquam quercum in ballia
sua, idem Wj'bertus habuit eoporones inde.
Et habuit de qualibet domo in villa de Siresham unam gallinam
ad Natale Domini et ad Pascha decem oua, et de Stratford' unum
quarterium auene et de Torueston' duodecim denarios et retro-
pannagium in ballia sua, et fecit porcarios in ballia sua ad voluntatem
suam ; et cepit nuces in dominico regis in ballia sua, et chiminagium
in ballia sua in auxilium firme sue.
Dicunt eciam quod Elias ' de Tingewyk' a tempore quo dominus
Henricus rex sibi dedit balliuas predictas cepit chiminagium per totam
balliuam suam et mortuum boscum ad vsos suos proprios in boscis
regis et nuces in eisdem boscis cum acciderint preterquam in parco
de Hanle et retropannagium post festum sancti Martini preterquam
in parco de Hanle et custodiam porcorum et eoporones de quercubus
datis per regem in foresta preterquam in dicto parco, et vnam placeam
que vocatur la Siche ad herbagium inter Shrobb' et Pokesle. Et
habuit custodiam bosci de Seluestone et habere debet.
Et, ut intelligunt, ista que predictus Elias cepit pertinent ad
custodiam bailie sue foreste predicte ad firmam predictam faciendam,
quia idem Elias reddit firmam sicut predicti fecerunt, videlicet, duas
marcas et dimidiam pro ballia de Wakefeld et decem solidos pro ballia
de Haselberwe.
' The bailiwick of WTiittlewood forest by letters patent dated 11 December 1265,
was granted to Elias of Tingewick for life See Patent Eoll 83, m. 37.
BUCKINGHAMSHIIIE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, A.D. 1278 124
And the same Hugh had the after-parinage after the feast of
St. Martin, and he made piggeries in the forest at his will.
And he took during all his time from the towns of East Pury
and Yardley from every virgate of land a goose and a hen and four
pence in every year and a quarter of oats ; and from Weststratford and
from Turweston twelve pence for paling and for having dead wood in
the demesne, as has been before said.
And he was wont to collect eggs through all his bailiwick of
Wakefield ; and he was wont to have chiminage through all his
bailiwick.
And he was wont to have all the dead wood in his bailiwick afore-
said, and to have his beasts of the plough pasturing over all the
bailiwick aforesaid.
Wibert of Towcester rendered to the aforesaid John de Neville for
his bailiwick of Hazelborough ten shillings a year at the aforesaid
terms ; and he had in his bailiwick all the old fuel trees for his own
use. And if the lord king gave any oak in his bailiwick, the same
Wibert had the crop thereof.
And he had from every house in the town of Syresham one hen at
Christmas and ten eggs at Easter, and in Stratford a quarter of oats,
and in Turweston twelve pence ; and he had after-pannage in his
bailiwick ; and he made piggeries in his bailiwick at his will ; and he
took nuts in the demesne of the lord king in his bailiwick ; and
chiminage in his bailiwick in aid of his farm.
They say also that Elias of Tinge wick, from the time when the lord
king Henry gave to him the aforesaid bailiwicks, took chiminage
through the whole of his bailiwick, and dead wood in the woods of
the king for his own use ; and nuts in the same woods, when there
were any, except in the park of Handley ; and after-pannage after the
feast of St. Martin, except in the park of Handley, and the custody of
pigs ; and the crops of oaks which are given by the king in the forest,
except in the said park ; and a place which is called La Siche for
herbage between Shrob and Puxley. And he had and ought to have
the custody of the wood of Silverstone.
And, as they understand, those things which the aforesaid Elias
took belong to the custody of his bailiwick of the forest aforesaid
to make up the farm aforesaid because the same Elias renders a
farm, as the aforesaid persons did, to wit two and a half marks for
the bailiwick of Wakefield and ten shillings for the bailiwick of
Hazelborough.
125 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
XV.'
Grauamina contra cartam de foresta.
Cum nostre seynor le rey voyle e eyt comande e fet pupplier par
sun conseyl ke la chartre de forest seyt tenue en tuz poyns en tuz
articles saunz blemure, ces sunt les greuaunces dunt le puple e le
commun de forests en Somerset se sentent greuez encuntre la
chartre.
1. La ou la chartre dit ke tute la forests les queus le rey Henry
ael le rey Henri fiz le rey lohan afforesta seyent veus par bons e leus
hommes, e si aukun boys autre ke le suen propre eyt afforeste a
damage celuy a ky le boys seyt, seyt desafforeste, e ke tuz les boys ke
furent afforestes par le rey Eichard ou par le rey lohan dekes al
p?-6mer coronement le rey Henry pere nostre seynur le rey Edward
seyent desafforestes vncore remeynent en forest encuntre la chartre en
greuaunce del pays. Ces sunt les bundes ^ auncienes en tens le rey
Henry pere le rey Eichard e le rey lohan sicum la puraleye des
auaundites forests mis dient de bunde en bunde. Et tuz les boys ke
dehors sunt a greuaunce del pays e a graunt peche sunt afforestes kar
le rey nat dehors nul demeyne ne nul profit ; mes le pays en est sur-
charge a graunt greuance de foresters et de lur garsons e de lur
chiuaus, la ou le chef forester dust auer la charge pur les terres e les
tenemens ke il tent de rey.
2. E si vult la chartre ke erceueskes eueskes abbes priors cuntes
baruns chiualers e fraunc tenanz ke boys vnt en forest eyent lur boys
Bicu??i eus vrent al tens del premer coronement le rey Henry pere le
rey Eichard e lohan issi ke il seyent q»ites a tuz iurz de tutes pur-
prestures wasts e de assars fet en ices boys puys icel tens dekes al
comencement del secund an del coronement le rey Henry fiz le rey
Johan ; a checune eyre de iustices de forest si sunt la gent, ke boys
vnt en forest greuement punys pur purpresture wasts e assars del
auantdit tens.
• Forest Proceedings, Ancient Chancery, particular of importance.
No. 101. This is a tile of several skins. ^ jj-^g grievances here printed are written
The text as above printed is from the sixth in the original immediately after a peram-
skin of the file. There is another copy of bulation of the forest in Somerset made in
it on the second skin of the same file ; but January 127|, in which the boundaries are
the readings on the two skins differ in no set out in detail.
SOMERSET, A.D. 127| 125
XV.
Grievances against the charter of the forest.
Whereas our lord the king wishes and has commanded and caused
to be pubKshed by his council that the charter of the forest be
observed in all respects in all its articles without blemish, these are
the grievances, whereby the people and the commonalty of the forests
in Somerset feel themselves aggrieved against the charter.
1. Although the charter says that all the forests which king
Henry grandfather of the king Henry the son of king John afforested
are to be viewed by good and lawful men, and if he has afforested
any wood other than his own to the damage of him to whom the
wood belongs, it is to be disafforested ; and that all the woods which
were afforested by king Richard or by king John before the first
coronation of king Henry father of our lord the king Edward are to
be disafforested, yet they still remain in the forest against the charter
to the grievance of the country. The above are the ancient bounds
in the time of king Henry the father of the king Eichard and the
king John, as the perambulation of the aforesaid forests tells us, from
bound to bound. And all the woods, which are outside, to the griev-
ance of the country and most sinfully have been afforested, for the
king has outside no demesne and no profit ; moreover the country is
surcharged thereby most grievously with foresters and their pages and
theu- horses, although the chief forester ought to be charged with
them in return for the lands and tenements which he holds of the king.
2. And though the charter says that archbishops, bishops,
abbots, priors, earls, barons, knights and free tenants, who have
woods in the forest, may have their woods as they were at the time
of the first coronation of the king Henry father of the king Eichard
and John, so that they may be quit for ever of all purprestures
wastes and assarts made in those woods since that time till the
commencement of the second year of the coronation of the king
Henry the son of king John, yet at every eyre of the justices of the
forest are the people who have woods in the forest grievously
punished for purprestures wastes and assarts of the aforesaid time.
126 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
3. La ou la chartre dit ke veue de espeutison de chens deyt estre
fet de terz an en terz an q?/aunt len fet le regard e dunke par veue de
leus hommes e de bous e nemye autrement la veynentles foresters par
my les viles cornant, e funt noyse a graunt bruyt pur fere les mastins
venir hors a boyer eus, si attacbent la bone gent de an en an pur lur
mastins si les trez ortils ne seyent copes, e vne maylle de la pelote del
pe destre v la cbartre dit ke les tres ortils seyent trencbez saunz la
pelote del pe deuaunt.
4. La ou la chartre dit ke par veue e par serment de duze re-
gardurs qwaunt il funt lur regard taunt foresters seyent mis a forest
garder taunt cu?n il verrunt renablement suffire, la met le chef forester
les foresters [de] suz ly a chiual e a pe a suen voler saunz la veue de
nuly e plus ke ne suffist a garder la forest dreyturele par le lur
donaunt sicum il puent finir pur auer baylye a graunt damage e a
greuaunce del pays pur le surcharge de eus e de lur chiuaus e de lur
garsons, la ou le rey nat nul pru ne nul demeyne fors vn boys, ke est
apele Brucumbe en Celewode ; e la prent pur herbage de eel boys
de vile voysines par deus soz tres soz quaive soz la ou nul dener ne
dust estre pur herbage solum la chartre pris.
5. La ou la chartre dit ke nul forester ne bedel ne face escotale ne
ne quile garbes ne aueyne ne autre ble ne ayneus ne purceus, ne autre
quillette ne face, la veynent les foresters en Aust et quillent tute manere
de ble en garbes oveke lur chiual dedenz bundes de forest e dehors
pres de forest, e dunkes il funt lur cerveyse de cele quillette, e ceus ke
la ne veynent beyure e donent deners a lur volente maleme^it sunt
punys a lur pies pur mortboys, la ou le rey nat nul demeyne ; ne nul
nose bracer qi<aunt il bracent ne cerueyse vendre taunt cum il vnt nule
manere de cerueyse a vendre ; e ce fet checun forester seuereaument
par an a grant greuaunce del pays.
6. E estre ce il quilent aygneus e purceus leyne e Ij^n de checune
meyson ou ilia leyne vne tuyson e en ' le meyns defendu de checune
meyson vn dener ou de checun pore vn ferling. E quant il bracent si
abatent arbres a lur fouayle en boys de bone gent saunz lur cunge, ce
est a sauer, kennes, arables, coudres, espines des plus beles auaunt,
dunt les bone gent se sentent greue pur la destruccion de lur boys ;
' This and the three following words seem to represent the Latin 'in mense uetito.'
SOMERSET, A.D. 127f 126
3. Although the charter says that view of the lawing of clogs ought
to be made every third year, when the regard is made, and then by view
of loyal men and good, and not otherwise, yet the foresters come
through the towns blowing horns and make a nuisance with much noise
to cause the mastiffs to come out to bark at them ; and so they attach
the good folk every year for their mastiffs if the three toes be not cut and
a little piece from the ball of the right foot, although the charter says
that the three toes are to be cut but not the ball of the fore foot.
4. Although the charter says that by view and by oath of twelve
regarders, when they make their regard, as many foresters are to be
set to guard the forest as to them shall seem reasonably sufficient,
yet the chief forester sets foresters beneath him, riding and walking,
at his pleasure without the view of anybody, and more than are
sufficient to guard the lawful forest, in return for their giving as
much as they can to make fine for having their bailiwicks, to the
great damage and grievance of the country because of the surcharge
of them and their horses and their pages, although the king has no
profit and no demesne, except one wood which is called Brucombe in
Selwood ; and he takes there for herbage of that wood from the
neighbouring towns sometimes two shillings, sometimes three shillings,
or sometimes four shillings, although no money ought to be taken
for herbage according to the charter.
5. Although the charter says that no forester or beadle shall make
scotale or collect sheaves or oats or other corn, or lambs or little pigs,
or shall make any other collection, yet the foresters come with horses
at harvest time and collect every kind of corn in sheaves within the
bounds of the forest and outside near the forest, and then they make
their ale from that collection, and those who do not come there to drink
and do not give money at their will are sorely punished at their pleas
for dead wood, although the king has no demesne ; nor does anyone
dare to brew when the foresters brew, nor to sell ale so long as the
foresters have any kind of ale to sell ; and this every forester does
year by year to the great grievance of the country.
6. And besides this they collect lambs and httle pigs, wool, and
flax, from every house where there is wool a fleece, and in fence
month from every house a penny, or for each pig a farthing. And
when they brew, they fell trees for their fuel in the woods of the good
people without leave, to wit, oaks, maples, hazels, thorns, felling the
best first, whereby the good people feel themselves aggrieved on
account of the destruction of their woods ; nor does any free man
127 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
ne nul fraunc homme ne ose attacher nul mesfesur en sun boys de-
meyne si ne seyt par forester iure. Apres le Aust veynent les foresters
a chiual e quilent ble par bussel par deus par tres par quaire solum
ce ke il seyent hommes eyses e en memes la mancre funt lur cerueyse
cum les foresters a pe a grant greuaunce del pays.
Ce est le presentement de la forest de Menedepe de lur greuaunce.
7. La ou le chartre dit ke nul swanimot desoremes ne seyt tenu
fors treys fez par an en le regno ; ce est a sauer a comencement de
quinze iurs deuant la feste seynt Michel quant les agisturs asemblerent
de agister le demeyne boys le rey, e encur la feste seynt Martyn quant
les agisters deyuent receure le pannage le rey ; a ces deus swanimos
asemblerent foresters vertders, agisturs e nul autre par destresse ; la
vent le chef forester et fet somondre tuz les frauncs tenanz dedenz
forest de venir devannt ly e de checune vile q«atre hommes e le
dizener, e si il ne veynent curunt a defautes a graunt greuaunce del
pays, la ou le rey nat nul demeyne ne nul pru de celes defautes. E
le terz swanimot deyt estre tenu au comencement de quinze iurs
deuaunt la feste seynt lohain le Baptiste pur la feoneson de bestes le
rey ; e a eel swanimot tenir vendrunt foresters e vertders e nul autre
par destresse. E la fet le forester la somo/ise e curt a defautes sicum
il est auaunt dit. E estre ce a checun quarante iurs par tut Ian si
fet la somonse de francs e de vilees sicum il est auant dit hors de
demeyne le roy a graunt greuaunce del pays ; e dit ke il vent fere
enquestes la ou il nia nule beste morte ne mayne ne nul lei endite-
ment de forester ne de autre homme certeyn solum le assise de forest.
8. La ou la chartre dit ke nul forester ke ne seyt forester de fe
rendant ferme al rey pur sa baylye ne deyt prendre nul cheminage en
sa baylye, le forester de Menedepe e de Celewode en Somerset ne rent
nule ferme al rey ne nul cheminage ne prent, mes il prent pys, dunt
le pays se sent greue ou le rey nat nul pru, kar ce est hors de son
demeyne la attachent il checun riche e poure dedenz forest manaunt
oueke mortboys e oueke sec e prent de poures de checun siz denera
ke portent sur lur dos e de riches solum ce ke il vnt grace de finir.
SOMERSET, A.D. 127| 127
dare to attach any evil doer in his demesne wood, unless it be by a
sworn forester. After harvest the riding foresters come and collect
corn by the bushel, sometimes two bushels, sometimes three bushels,
sometimes four bushels, according to the people's means ; and in the
same way they make their ale, as do the walking foresters, to the great
grievance of the country.
This is the presentment of the forest of Mendip of their grievances.
7. Although the charter says that no swanimote henceforth is to
be held in the realm, except three times a year, to wit, at the beginning
of the fifteen days before the feast of St. Michael, when the agisters
meet to agist the demesne woods of the king, and about the feast
of St. Martin, when the agisters ought to receive the king's pannage,
and that at these two swanimotes the foresters, verderers, agisters,
and none other shall come by distress, yet the chief forester comes
and causes all the free tenants within the forest to be summoned to
come before him, and from each town four men and the tithing man,
and if they do not come they incur defaults to the great grievance of
the country, although the king has no demesne and has no profit
from those defaults. And the third swanimote ought to be held at the
commencement of the fifteen days before the feast of St. John the
Baptist for the fawning of the king's beasts ; and to hold this swani-
mote the foresters and verderers shall come and none others by dis-
tress. And yet the forester makes the summons, and people incur
defaults, as is before said. And besides this every forty days
throughout the year the summons is made of the free men and town-
ships, as is before said, outside the king's demesnes, to the great
grievance of the country ; and he says that they come to make in-
quests, although there is no beast dead or maimed, nor any lawful
indictment by a forester or any other certain man according to the
assize of the forest.
8. Although the charter says that no forester who is not a forester
in fee rendering farm to the king for his bailiwick ought to take any
chiminage in his bailiwick, yet the foresters of Mendip and of Selwood
in Somerset render no farm to the king nor take chiminage, but they
take worse, whereby the country feels itself aggrieved, without the king
having any profit, for it is outside his demesne ; for they attach every
man, rich and poor, dwelling within the forest with dead wood and with
dry wood ; and from the poor they take, from every man who carries
wood upon his back six pence, and from the rich as much as they have
128 SELECT FOREST INQUISITIONS
Les foresters a chiual e foresters a pe e lur garsons prment telement
en coste de charette deuz soz trez soz qiiatve soz de akun plus de
akun meyns solum ce ke il est eyse e de chiual ke porte summage
duze deners diz e vyt deners sezze deners pwr leuer lur fin ke il vnt
fet a lur chef forester a g7-aunt destruccion de la forest le rey e a
greuaunce de ces ke boys ont en forest kar il le suffrent aler quite par
tut le an saunz attachement ou le rey nat nul pru.
9. La ou la chartre dit que ryen ne seyt pris for de ceus ke meynent
hors de sa baylye e ke ryen ne seyt pris de ceus ke portent sus lur dos
buche escorche ou carbon, ia seyt il ce ke de ce viuent e si dit la
chartre ke nul cheminage ne deyt estre done fors de demeyne boys le
rey, la ou le gent se reposent oueske lur buche ou merym e abatent de
charettes hors del clos de la franchise de Charthuse en my les vile e
reprcnent autre fez lur summage de memes eel boys ou merym, les
foresters les attachent e les amercyent greuement a lur volente saunz
rey son.
Exemore.
10. Les foresters attachent ausi ben le bone gent en lur demeyne
boys e en lur demeyiie terres e les amercient greuement e la meyne gent
attachent il a lur hostels e en lur hayes e en lur croftes en my les viles;
e les hummes ke meynourent en lur wastine pur fere houys a semer
ble, la ou le rey nat nul demeyne, les foresters les attachent deuaunt
eus ; e dient ke il vnt fet wast e purpresture si il ne funt lur volente
pur pes auer, e de checun homme terre tenaunt volent il auer la pel
de vn aj'gnel ou une mayle e dient ke ce est lur fe.
11. E si vn homme meyne le merym de vne meyson de cent anz
ou plus ou meyns de vn lyu dekes a vn autre de quel lyu ke il vyenge
de hors forest ou de dens ou vne vyelle huche saunz fer,^ ou vne pere de
rous a char ou a charette sicum marchans funt uers fere,^ dequel lyu
ke il vyengent, il les attachent en my le real chemyn e akune fez en
my le marche ausicu?» pur cheminnage deke ataunt ke il eyent fini a
lur volente dunt le pays se sent mult greue. E prient nos^re seynor
le rey ke totes choses e teles greuaunces sejent amendez sicnm le rey
de cetes choses nat nul pru.
' This word is so spelt on both skins. translation might be 'where thei-e is no fair.'
It is possible, however, that ' fere ' or '^ This word is spelt as ' feyre ' on the
' feyre ' is intended, in which case the second skin.
SOMERSET, A.D. 127| 128
fortune to make fine. The foresters, riding and walking, and their
pages take Hkewise with respect to a cart two shillings, three shillings,
four shillings, from some more and from others less, according to their
means, and from a horse which carries a load twelve pence, eighteen
pence and sixteen pence to raise their fine which they have made with
their chief forester, to the great destruction of the forest of the king,
and to the grievance of those who have woods in the forest, for they
suffer the carriers to go quit all through the year without attachment
and yet the king has no profit.
9. Although the charter says that nothing shall be taken except
from those who carry wood outside the bailiwicks of the foresters, and
that nothing shall be taken from those who carry upon their backs
wood, bark, or charcoal even though they live thereby, and though
the charter says that no chiminage is to be given except from the
demesne wood of the king, yet where the people rest with their wood
or timber and unload it from carts outside the close of the franchise
of the Charterhouse among the towns, and afterwards take up their
loads of this same wood or timber, the foresters attach them and
amerce them grievously at their will without right.
Exmoor.
10. The foresters attach likewise the good folk in their demesne
woods and in their demesne lands and amerce them grievously and
the small folk they attach at their homes and in their enclosures and
in their crofts among the towns ; and the men who work in their waste
ground at making ' hoes ' to sow corn, although the king has no
demesne, these their foresters attach to come before them ; and they say
that they have made waste and purpresture, if they do not their will,
for having peace ; and from each man holding land they will have
the skin of a lamb or a farthing ; and they say that that is their fee.
11. And if a man bring the timber of a house a hundred years old,
be it more or less, from one place to another, from whatsoever place it
come, without or within the forest, or an old chest without iron, or a
pair of wheels for a waggon or a cart, as merchants are wont to do to
a fair, from whatsoever place they come they attach them in the
middle of the king's highway and sometimes in the middle of the
market as if for chiminage until they have made fine at their will,
whereby the country feels itself much aggrieved. And they pray our
lord the king that all such things and grievances may be amended,
seeing that the king from such things has no profit.
129 SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
PLACITA FOEESTE APUD HUNTYNDOXE IN OCTABIS ^»
NATIUITATIS SANCTI lOHANNIS BAPTISTE ANNO
EEGNI EEGIS EDWAEDI QUAETODECDIO COEAM
EOGEEO EXTEANEO, PETEO DE LENCHE ET lOHANNE
FILIO NIGELLI lUSTICIAEIIS AD EADEM PLACITA
AUDIENDA ET TERMINANDA ASSIGNATIS.
^ Plaeita warenne * de Cantebrigge apud Huntedon' ;
presentata per Eobertum de Cadamo, Eicardum Aubyn, Eobertum de
Houcton', Thomam le Freman, Eadulfum Giffard, Henricum Cham-
pioun, Stephanum Katerine, lohannem de le Howes, Eogerum filium
Thome, Willelmum Chaumpeneys, Eobertum Katerine, "Willelmum
Payne et lohannem de Grantesteyde.
Philippiis de Coleuile et familiares sui, quorum nomina ignorantur,
cum leporariis eiusdem Phillppi consueti fuerunt intrare warennam
domini regis de Cantebrigge, et capere lepores in eadem sine waranto
tempore regis Henrici vsque ad obitum suum et eciam tempore domini
regis nunc vsque ad annum regni sui duodecimum. Idem Philippus
non venit nee fuit attachiatus. Ideo preceptum est \dcecomiti quod
faciat eum venire apud Huntedon' die-^ Martis in carniprivio. Qui non
venit. Ideo de eo decern libre.
Henricus fihus Henrici de Chylderle, qui habet terras in comitatu
Cantebrigg', consuetus fuit fugare et capere ^ lepores in warenna pre-
dicta cum leporariis predicti patris sui, qui mortuus est, tempore regis
Henrici vsque ad obitum suum. Idem Henricus non venit nee fuit
attachiatus. Ideo preceptum est vicecomiti quod faciat eum venire
ad diem predictum. Qui non venit. Ideo de eo una marca.
Eobertus filius Eogeri, clericus, de episcopatu Norwycen' et
London', tempore quo fuit scolaris vniuersitatis Cantebrig', videlicet,
tempore regis Henrici et eciam tempore regis Edwardi usque ad
annum regni sui duodecimum per aduentus suos apud Cantebrigg', et
familiares sui consueti fuerunt intrare warennam predictam cum
» For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 44. recorded on the Hundred Eolls (see Eotuli
2 1 July 1286. Himdredorum, vol. ii. p. 406).
3 Boll 3. ' 25 February 128|.
* This warren was appurtenant to the * MS. ' cai"pere.'
castle of Cambridge. Its boundaries are
CAMBRIDGE, A.D. 1286 129
XVI.
PLEAS OF THE FOKEST AT HUNTINGDON ON THE
OCTAVE 2 OF THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
IN THE FOUETEENTH YEAE OF THE EEIGN OF KING
EDWAED BEFOEE EOGEE L'ESTEANGE, PETEE OF
LENCH AND JOHN FITZ NIGEL JUSTICES ASSIGNED
FOE HEAEING AND DETEEMINING THE SAME PLEAS.
Pleas of the warren of Cambridge at Huntingdon ;
presented by Eobert de Caen, Eichard Aubyn, Eobert of Houghton,
Thomas Freeman, Ealph Giffard, Henry Champiun, Stephen Catherine,
John de le Howes, Eoger the son of Thomas, William Champeneys,
Eobert Catherine, William Pain and John of Grantesteyde.
Philip de Colleville and his servants, whose names are not known,
were wont to enter the lord king's warren of Cambridge, with the
greyhounds of the same Philip, and to take hares in the same without
warrant in the time of king Henry until his death, and also in the
time of the lord king who now is, until the twelfth year of his reign.
The same Philip did not come, nor was he attached ; therefore the
sheriff is ordered to cause him to come at Huntingdon on the first
Tuesday* in Lent. And he did not come; therefore of him ten
pounds.
Henry the son of Henry of Childerley, who has lands in the
county of Cambridge, was wont to hunt and take hares in the afore-
said warren with the greyhounds of his aforesaid father, who is dead,
in the time of king Henry until his death. The same Henry did not
come, nor was he attached ; therefore the sheriff is ordered to cause
him to come at the day aforesaid. And he did not come ; therefore
of him one mark.
Eobert the son of Eoger, a clerk of the bishoprics of Norwich and
London, at the time when he was a scholar in the university of
Cambridge, to wit, in the time of king Henry and also in the time of
king Edward till the twelfth year of his reign, and used to come to
Cambridge, and his servants were wont to enter the aforesaid warren
s 2
130
SELECTIONS FROM THE FOREST EYRE ROLLS
leporariis suis et fugare et capere lepores in eadem, vnde certus
numerus non potest inquiri. Et non venit nee fuit attachiatus.
Ideo de eo decern libre.
Magister Adam le Fraunceys de episcopatu Dunel', tempore quo
fuit scolaris Cantebrigg', consuetus fuit cum familiaribus et leporariis
suis intrare warennam predictam et cum pluribus aliis clericis quorum
nomina ignorantur, et fugare et capere lepores in eadem warenna
vnde certus numerus non potest inquiri ; et magnum dampnum et
destruccionem fecit de leporibus in eadem. Postea ponitur in respec-
tum vsque ad parliamentum a die Pasche in vnum mensem.
Willelmus de Shepy clericus de episcopatu Elyen' (c sol.),
Willelmus de Bibbesworth' clericus de epicopatu Line' (c sol.),
Magister Thomas de Middelton, archidiaconus Norwyc' (respectus),
Hugo de la Penne, clericus de episcopatu Line' (1 sol.), lacobus de
Moun de episcopatu Batlion' (c sol.), Thomas filius Alani clericus
de episcopatu Dulmon' uel de archiepiscopatu Ebor' (c sol.), et
Willelmus de Dunfraunuile clericus de episcopatu Dulmonen' (c sol.),
temporibus quibus fuerunt scolares vniuersitatis Cantebr', sepius
intrauerant warennam predictam cum leporariis suis ; et sepius
miserunt homines suos in eandem warennam cum leporariis suis et
fugauerunt et ceperunt plures lepores, quilibet pro parte sua, vnde
numerus non potest inquiri.
De Thoma de Middelton' ponitur in respectum quia est vltra mare
in seruicio domini regis.
Willelmus de Brumpton et Willelmus de Saham, iusticiarii, et
familiares eorum per aduentus suos apud Cantebrigg' tempore regis
nunc, videlicet, ante annum regni sui duodecimum, consueti fuerunt
intrare warennam predictam cum leporariis suis et fugare et capere
lepores sine waranto ; set quot non potest inquiri.
lohannes Extraneus dominus de Middilton', Warinus de Insula,
dominus de Eamton' et templarii de Daneye clamant habere liber-
tatem warenne in terris suis infra warennam predictam domini regis ;
et sepius cum leporariis suis ceperunt plures lepores in eisdem terris
suis pro voluntate sua. Et fuerunt magistri predicte domus de
Daneye, de quibus recolitur modo, per aliquod tempus lurdanus de
Thame, qui adhuc est in eadem domo, et Willelmus de Skotowe qui
nunc est preceptor ibidem. Ideo preceptum est vicecomiti quod faciat
venire predictos lohannem et Warinum et eciam preceptorem ad
ostendendum warantum si quod inde habeant, uel ad satisfaciendum
CAMBRIDGE, A.D. 1286 130
with their greyhounds and to hunt and take hares in the same, the
precise number of which cannot be ascertained. And he did not
come, nor was he attached ; therefore of him ten pounds.
Master Alan le Fraunceis of the bishopric of Durham, at the time
when he was a scholar at Cambridge, was wont, with his servants and
greyhounds, to enter the warren aforesaid and, with many other
clerks, whose names are not known, was wont to hunt and take hares
in the same warren, whereof the precise number cannot be ascer-
tained ; and he caused great damage and destruction to the hares in
the same warren. Afterwards the matter is respited till the parlia-
ment a month after Easter.
William of Sheepy, clerk, of the bishopric of Ely, William of
Bibsworth, clerk, of the bishopric of Lincoln, Master Thomas of
Middleton, archdeacon of Norwich, Hugh de la Penne, clerk, of the
bishopric of Lincoln, James de Moyon of the bishopric of Bath,
Thomas the son of Alan, clerk, of the bishopric of Durham or of the
archbishopric of York, and William d'Umfraville, clerk, of the
bishopric of Durham, at the times when they were scholars at the
university of Cambridge frequently entered the warren aforesaid with
their greyhounds ; and they frequently sent their men into the same
warren with their greyhounds ; and they hunted and took many
hares, each taking his share ; and the number thereof cannot be
ascertained.
Concerning Thomas of Middleton the matter is respited, because
he is beyond the sea in the service of the lord king.
William of Brompton and William of Saham, justices, and their
servants, when they used to come to Cambridge in the time of the
lord king, who now is, to wit, before the twelfth year of his reign,
were wont to enter the warren aforesaid with their greyhounds and to
hunt and take hares without warrant ; but how many they took can-
not be ascertained.
John I'E strange, lord of Middleton, Warin de I'lsle, lord of
Eampton and the Templars of Denney claim to have the franchise of
warren in their lands within the lord king's warren aforesaid; and
they frequently took with their greyhounds many hares in the same
lands at their pleasure. And the masters of the aforesaid house of
Denney, of whom it is now remembered, were Jordan of Thame for
some time, who is still in the same house, and William of Skottowe,
who now is preceptor there. Therefore the sheriff is ordered to cause
the aforesaid John and Warin and also the preceptor to come and
show their warrant if they have any thereof, or to make satisfaction
131 SELECTIONS FRO:\[ THE FOKEST EYRE ROLLS
domino regi de transgressione predicta citra mensem a die Pasche
proximum futurum uel tunc in parliamento Lond' ; aut eciam estunc
plena satisfaciant domino regi.
Abbas de Eames' elamat currere cum leporariis suis in terris suis
in manerio de Gretton' infra predictam warennam. Qui venit et
ostendit cartam per quam conoeditur ei quod habeat warennam in
tota terra sua de Hurstingestonbundred et in alia terra sua in bosco
et in piano. Et testificatum est quod ea semper in pace hucusque
vsus est. Ideo quietus.
Familiares Fulconi de Penebrugg', persone de Staunton', consueti
fuerunt intrare warennam cum leporariis eiusdem persone et fugare
et capere lepores in eadem vsque ad annum regis Edwardi duodeci-
mum. Qui non venit. Ideo de eo decem marce.
lohannes de Lay (xx sol.) consuetus est intrare warennam cum
leporariis suis et capere lepores sine waranto.
' Adhue de warenna Cantebrugg'.
tiijsoi. Eustacbius de Cotes (ii sol.) et quidam Goase (ii sol.) socius
suus consueti sunt intrare warennam cum rethibuset capere pluuerios
et huiusmodi ^ volatilia» Et non venerunt nee fuerunt attachiati.
Laurencius' Seman de Cantbrig' (dimidia marca) et Michaelis
Scrippe de Bernewelle (ij sol,), consueti sunt intrare warennam cum
rethibus et sewell' et capere volatilia. Qui non fuerunt attacbiati.
Ideo in misericordia.
Homines et familiares Ricardi abbatis de Croylande qui nunc est
per adventus suos apnd Cotenham, videlicet ante annum regis Edwardi
duodecimum consueti fuerunt intrare warennam cum leporariis
eiusdem abbatis et fugare et capere lepores in eadem. Ideo de
predicto Abbate decem libre.
Willelmus de Eotbinge, tempore quo fuit viceoomes, et familiares
sui cum leporariis eiusdem fugauerunt et ceperunt lepores in warenna
predicta. Ideo de eo decem libre.
De Leonio Dennyng pro transgressione in warenna predicta, una
marca.
De Thoma Bakun de Lanbeche, Henrico le Keu, Rogero Flet et
Henrico Bolby pro transgressione volatilium cum rethibus in warenna
predicta.^
' EoU 3 in dorso. "' MS. huilis, ' The penalty is not specified in the roll.
dimidia
marca.
ij sol.
CAMBRIDGE, A.D. I286 131
to the lord king concerning the trespass aforesaid, before the expiration
of one month from Easter next to come, or at the date of such ex-
piration in the parhament at London ; or even after that date let him
make full satisfaction to the lord king.
The Abbot of Eamsey claims to hunt with his greyhounds in his
lands in the manor of Girton within the aforesaid warren ; and he
comes and shows a charter by which it is granted to him that he
may have warren in all his land in the hundred of Hurstingstone,
and in his other lands in wood and plain. And it is witnessed that
he has hitherto always enjoyed it in peace ; therefore he is quit.
The servants of Fulk of Penbridge, parson of Stanton, were wont
to enter the warren with the greyhounds of the same parson, and to
hunt and take hares in the same till the twelfth year of king Edward ;
and he did not come ; therefore of him ten marks.
John de Lay is wont to enter the warren with his greyhounds and
to take hares without warrant.
As yet of the warren of Cambridge.
Eustace of Cotes and a certain Gosse, his fellow, were wont to
enter the warren with nets and to take plovers and such like wild-
fowl. And they did not come, nor were they attached.
Laurence Seman of Cambridge and Michael Scrippe of Barnwell,
were wont to enter the warren with nets and scarecrows and to take
wildfowl. And they were not attached ; therefore they are in mercy.
The men and servants of Richard the abbot of Crowland, who now
is, when they used to come to Cottenham, to wit, before the twelfth
year of king Edward were wont to enter the warren with the grey-
hounds of the same abbot and to hunt and take hares in the same ;
therefore of the aforesaid abbot ten pounds.
Wilham of Eoding, when he was sheriff, and his servants with
his greyhounds hunted and took hares in the warren aforesaid ; there-
fore of him ten pounds.
Of Leon Denning for trespass in the warren aforesaid one mark.
Of Thomas Bakun of Landbeach, Henry le Keu, Roger Flet and
Henry Bolby for trespassing against the wildfowl with nets in the
warren aforesaid.
GLOSSAEY
amessiare, to let slip. The word, which
is not common, is always used of grey-
hounds. It occurs not less than three
times in a roll of inquisitions of the
years 19 to 22 Ed, i. {For. Proc, Tr. of
Bee. No. 82). Thus :
amessiauit predictos leporarios ad
predictum yourum per mediam uillam
(to. 3).
amessiauerunt leporarios sues ad
unam herdam damorum {m. 3).
amessiauerunt leporarios ad tres da-
mes (m. 7).
The form ' amessare ' was also in use
(see For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 45,
Roll 7 d).
arabilis, a maple {M.F. Arable). Towards
the close of the fourteenth century the
word was becoming obsolete, its place
being taken by the English ' maple.'
Thus in an inquisition of 37 Ed, iii.
we have ' arbores uocate mapeles ' {For.
Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 279, m. 9).
And in Patent Roll of 5 Ric. ii., the
words ' quercus wodappiltre et mappill '
occur {Patent Roll 312, m. 10). The
maple occurs more frequently than
most other English trees in docu-
ments of the thirteenth century. In
the Statutes of the Realm, i. p. 243,
' arabilis ' is wrongly translated as
' arable.'
belongus (p. 80), slantwise.
Wlnerauerunt M. f. ... cum una
sagitta sub mamilla sinistra ad profun-
ditatem unius palme de belongo,
This passage should be compared with
the following extract from Miracles de
Saint Louis :
et estoit la plaie ausi come roonde i
petitet bellongue et si parfonde que len
pooit veoir aucune foiz les ners du braz
et lee si come la laieur de braz le pooit
soufrir. (Bouquet, Historiens de la,
France, Tome xx. p. 188).
The following is an extract from the
Complement of the Diet, de VAcadimie
Frangaise (ed. 1847) :
Belonc [de). adv. (V. lang.) De tra-
vers, de biaia. ' Tout alia de travers et
belonc ' {Bust. Deschamps).
bernarius, a berner, a person in charge of
the hounds called ' canes currentes,' or
' running hounds.' Numerous entries
on the Close Rolls of Ed. ii. tend to
show that when the king sent his
hunters into the forests to procure
venison they were accompanied by
berners in charge of running hounds,
fewterers in charge of greyhounds, and
sometimes bercelleters in charge of
bercelets. Thus :
cum mittamus I, L. cum xxiiij cani-
bus currentibus sex leporariis duobus
bernariis et uno ueutrario ad capien-
dam pinguedinem . . . tibi {Close Boll
133, m. 1).
cum nos nuper uenatorem nostrum
T. de B. ... cum duobus bernariia
nostris, uno ueutrario et uno kaceken et
triginta canibus currentibus et nouem
leporariis . . . miaissemus {Close Boll
154, m. 27).
cum mittamus dilectum uallettum
nostrum R, L. uenatorem nostrum cum
184
GLOSSARY
duobus bernariis duobus ueutrariis uno
bercelettario uiginti et quatuor canibus
currentibus decern leporariis et duobus
bercelettis ad perhendinandum infra
balliuam tuam {Close Boll 186, m. 7J.
In the second example the word ' kace-
ken ' corresponds to the modern ' chasse-
chien.' There were different breeds of
running hounds, such as canes cerue-
rieii, canes damericii, canes haericii,
and canes lutericii. The berners at-
tached to a pack of ' canes damericii '
were called ' bernarii damericii,' and
those to a pack of ' canes haericii ' were
called ' bernarii haericii ' ; thus in some
letters close of 7 January 131| wehave :
Cum mittamus . . . I. L. et E. L.
cum duobus bernariis haericiis quatuor
ueutrariis uno bercelletario duobus
bernariis daemericiis et quadraginta et
octo canibus currentibus decern et octo
leporariis et duobus bercelletis ad
capiendas quadraginta damas de ferme-
Bona {Close Boll 137, ??i. 22).
In this case the forty-eight running
hounds must have consisted partly of
' canes haericii ' and partly of ' canes
damericii.' See also the last examxDle
under the word ualtrarius in this
Glossary.
The passages quoted do not of them-
selves prove that in the reign of Ed. ii.
the berners had no concern with the
greyhounds, but as we repeatedly find
fewterers in charge of the greyhounds
alone and never in charge of running
hounds alone, there can be little doubt
on the point (see ualtrarius, below).
In the reign of John, however, it
seems that berners were sometimes in
charge of ' canes de mota ' and braches.
Thus in some letters close of 1 Sep-
tember 1212 we have :
Mittimus ad te cc et xl leporarios
nostros cum Ivj ualtrariis eorum custodi-
bus. Mittimus eciam ad te W. f. R., W.
v., et E. de S. mandantes quatinus eis-
dem leporariis et ualtrariis et canibus no-
stris de motis et Lrachettis cum eorum
bernariis . . . necessaria inuenias {Bot.
Litt Glaus, i. 123).
The ' canes de mota ' were probably
the same as the ' canes currentes.'
bersa (p. 2). There is considerable doubt
as to what this word means, but it seems
to be nearly synonymous with ' haya,'
which may mean a piece of enclosed
ground or the fence which enclosed a
piece of ground. In a charter granted
by King John on 30 May 1205 the
following words occur :
pasturam quadraginta uaccarum cum
uitulis suis donee habeant unum annum
et duorum taurorum per totam bersani
nostram in foresta nostra de Chipe-
ham {Bot. Cart. p. 152).
Again, in Testa de Nevill (p. 43, a), we
have :
Eicardus Strechte tenet duas uirgatas
per serianciam ad custodiendam bersani
domini regis in foresta in partibus illis.
The word also occurs in some letters
close of 2 October 1216 :
Mandamus nobis quod non permittatis
quod milites quibus uicecomes Norhamt'
terras assignauit in foresta nostra
aliquid uendant de boscis ubi dominicas
chaceas et bersas nostras et defensara
nostram habere consueuimus {Bot. Litt.
Claus. i. 290).
The words ' cum bersa ' on p. 98 are
perhaps an error for ' cum berseletto,'
but they may mean ' with the aid of an
enclosure.'
bersare (p. 65), to shoot. In Du Gauge's
Glossarium this word is translated by
' uenari.' It certainly did not bear that
meaning in England in the thirteenth
century. Expressions such as ' bersa-
tum in femore dextro ' (p. 87) are com-
mon ; and no use of it which suggests
the meaning of ' to hunt ' instead of
' to shoot ' has been cited.
bersatores (p. 10), although properly
meaning ' persons shooting,' may be
conveniently translated as ' poachers.'
berselettus (p. 110), a bercelet, a hound
which hunted by scent. The word is a
diminutive of ' bersellus,' which was
probably a hound of the same nature,
but of a larger size. In the Worcester
eyre roll of 1271 we have ;
Idem R. habet quandam leporariam
sequentem ipsum per forestam, et cum
bersauerit aliquam feram, ilia leporaria
sequitur illam feram quasi berseletus
quousque inuenerit et ceperit earn
{For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 229, Boll 7).
The bercelet was sometimes described
as a brach. In Testa, de Nevill, the
following passage occurs :
GLOSSARY
135
Umfridus de Monte [tenet] manerium
de Whitefeld cum pertinenciis per seri-
anciam affectandi unum bracketum ad
opus domini regis cum ipse dominus rex
preceperit ad currendum ad ceruum et
bissam et damum et damam (p. 28, a).
The corresponding entry in the Hun-
dred Eolls is as follows :
Et sciendum quod dominus Henricus
rex proauus regis nunc dictum manerium
dedit cuidam Philippo de Monte per
seruicium afeytandi quemdam berselet-
tum (Hot. Hund. ii. p. 6).
Again, on the Close EoU of 3 Ed. ii.
we have :
R. de B. defunctus et I. uxor eius
tenuerunt . . . quasdam terras et que-
dam tenementa in Stanhowe et Causton
. . . ; que quideni terre et tenementa
tenentur de nobis in cai^ite per seruicium
custodiendi unum bercellum nostrum
cum nos bercellum ilium ibidem ad
custodiendum mittere uoluerimus (Close
Boll 132, m. 26).
But the same serjeanty is thus de-
scribed in Testa de Nevill, p. 299, b :
De serianciis dicunt quod Willelmus
le May tenet quandam in Stanbo per
seruicium custodiendi unum bracketum.
It is probable that the use of the
word ' bersellus ' instead of ' bersel-
letus ' on the Close KoU of 3 Ed. ii. is
intentional, for on the Norfolk eyre
rolls of 12 Ed. i. there is an entry con-
cerning this serjeanty in which the
word ' brachettus ' is qualified :
Dicunt quod lohanna que fuit uxor
lobannis Kyng tenet quandam serian-
ciam in Stanhow . . . per serianciam
custodiendi unum brachettum dejnnere-
tum domini regis in capite de domino
rege [Assize Eolls 573, Bot. 74 d).
Another case in which a bercelet is
described as a brach is printed below
under the word brachettus. The Close
Eolls of the reign of Ed. ii. supply
many examples of hunters being sent
with a considerable number of running
hounds (see canes currentes) and grey-
hounds to take venison ; they were
usually accompanied by a bercelleter
who was in charge of one or more
bercelets.
The following passage from the
second part of the Patent Eoll of 1
Eic. ii. is of some interest ;
Constituimus ... I. L. magistrum
canum nostrorum uooatorum berceletz
. . . dantes ei licenciam exjsediendi
eosdem canes necnon habendi et faci-
endi cum eis sectas ad quascunque
bestias feras infra forestas cbaceas et
parcos nostros prout sibi pro expedi-
cione et informacione dictorum canum
pro deducto nostro fore uidebitur facien-
dum {Pat. Boll 299, m. 21).
The bercelet was probably a specially
trained brach, which was used for find-
ing the deer to be hunted. There can
be little doubt that the words ' berser-
ettus,' ' berselletus,' and ' berserez '
represented the same kind of hound.
On the ' Eotulus Misae ' of 14 John
' brachetti berserez ' are mentioned (see
brachettus, below). In some letters close
dated 1 September 1213, we have :
R. de S., D. de N. peremdinantes
apud C. . . . cum decem equis et xxij
canibus beraerettis et xviij garcionibus
{Bot. Litt. Claus. i. p. 151).
In some other letters of October 1214,
the following words occur :
Et Hugo de Albin' [dat domino regi
unum brachettum bon' berseretj {ibid.
i. p. 173).
See also hernarius.
berserecii. These hounds are frequently
mentioned on the ' Eotulus Misae ' of
14 John. They are usually mentioned
as having been under the charge of
' garciones ' or grooms (Cole's Docii-
vients illustrative of English History,
pp. 231, 232, 248, 253, etc.). In this
roll no hounds called ' berselletti ' are
mentioned. As many different kinds
are mentioned in this roll, it is probable
that ' berselletti ' and ' berserecii ' were
synonymous, more especially as the
terminations ' -cii ' and ' -etti ' were in-
terchangeable in the names of hounds.
Thus we have ' daimericii ' and
'daimeretti,' 'haiericii' and 'haieretti,'
' porkericii ' and ' porkeretti.'
bissa (ill. F. biche), a hind, the female of
the red deer. Sometimes ' cerua ' is
used instead of this word.
blettro (p. 64), probably, a sapling of oak
or beech. The word constantly occurs
in forest documents, and seems to have
been in use all over England, being
applied both to oak and beeches. The
136
GLOSSARY
words ' blettrones quercuum ' are not
uncommon. Thus, in an inquisition at
Hereford in 7 Ed. iii. we have :
duas carectatas blettronum quercuum
precii sex solidorum {Fo7: Proc, Tr. of
Bee. 258).
plaustratum blettronum quercuum
precii decern denariorum quos cariauit
noctanter cum uno plaustro et sex
bobus {ibid.).
On the other hand, the words ' blett-
rones fagorum ' seldom occur, but we
may take as an example the following
passage from an inquisition at Salis-
bury in 46 Ed. iii. :
duas fagas, precii ij sol' ; . . . duas
magnas fagas precii v sol'; . . . xxiiij
bletrones fagorum precii vj sol', viijd.
{For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 310).
There can be little doubt that the
' blettro ' was not a fully-grown tree, as
in the passage last quoted as well as in
the ordinance of William de Vescy of
15 Ed. i., and in other cases, it seems
to have been reckoned as of little value.
Moreover, it is never mentioned in sales
of timber.
The forms ' bletro ' and ' blestro,'
which occur on p. 68 above, are
less common than ' blettro.' It is
impossible in thirteenth century docu-
ments to distinguish between such
forms as ' blectro ' and ' blettro.'
bouiculus cerui. As to these words see
uitulus bisse.
brachettus (pp. 5, 34, 99), a brach, a
hound which hunted by scent. In the
chronicle now called Gesta Henrici
(Bolls Series, vol. ii. p. 180), we have :
Eodem die rex Anglie misit Saladino
leporarios et brasclietos, id est, odori-
sequos.
An example has already been printed
above, under the word berselettus, to
show that a bercelet was sometimes
described as a brach. Another example
is afforded by the following entry in
Tesia de Nevill :
Stepbanus de Bello Campo tenet Cotes
de domino rege in capita per unum
brachetum cum ligamine (p. 18, b) ;
to which the corresponding entry in a
list of knights' fees of the years 1284-
1286 is as follows :
Nicliolaus de Segraue tenet Cotes pro
uno feodo et pro uno berseleto cum
ligamine de rege.
IntheRotulusMisaeof 14 John (Cole,
Documents illustrative of English His-
tory) the ' brachetti ' are frequently men-
tioned as well as certain hounds called
berserecii. It is not clear from the rolls
whether these two words represented
hounds of different kinds, or whether
one of the words could apply to both
kinds. There is, however, an entry in
which ' brachetti berserez ' are men-
tioned {ibid. p. 253). Both ' brachetti '
and ' berserecii ' were under the charge
of ' garciones ' or grooms {ibid. pp. 289,
253). It is probable that the 'berse-
recii ' and the ' berceletti ' were the
same hounds and were specially trained
braches. See also berselettus and
limarius.
In the sixteenth century the English
word ' brach ' was used as the bitch
of any kind of hound (see Neio English
Dictionary, s.v. Brach) ; but there is no
evidence of the Latin ' brachettus '
having been so used.
The ' brachetti berserez ' were not
the only braches which were used for
particular purposes in hunting. In
some letters close dated 29 September
1275, we read of ' brachetti ceruericii '
{Close Roll 97, vi. 5). An example of the
words ' brachettus deymeretus ' has been
quoted above under berseletrus. There
were also braches which were used for
fox-hunting.
In some letters close dated 1 Decem-
ber 1213 we have :
Mittimus ad te W. M. uenatorem nos-
trum cum quadraginta brachettis wul-
periciis et sex leporariis et sex garcio-
nibus et uno equo ad currendum . . .
ad wulpem [Hot. Litt. Glaus, i. 156).
Although in the reign of John the
' brachetti ' were distinct from the
' canes de mota,' it is possible that at
a rather later period the ' canes cur-
rentes,' which were probably the same
as the ' canes de mota,' sometimes in-
cluded ' brachetti.' On p. 99 above we
read of a person uncoupling some
braches from his pack.
GLOSSARY
137
braconarius. This word occurs re-
peatedly in a Wardrobe Account of
18 Ed. i. {Accounts, Q.R., Bundle 352,
No. 26). It appears to have meant a
fewterer or person in charge of grey-
hounds and to have been used in place
of the word ualtrarius, which is not
found in the account.
brokettus, a brocket. In the later middle
ages deer were called by different names
according to their ages. Manwood
states that a hart of the first year is
called a hind calf, of the second a
brocket, of the third, a spayard, and so
on. In the thirteenth century a few
only of these names were in use, and
they had not then the meanings which
they afterwards obtained. The special
names for deer of one, two, and three
years came into use before those for deer
of a greater age, which latter, indeed,
were probably only used pedantically.
The word ' brokettus,' though used in the
time of Manwood exclusively of a hart
of the second year, was in the thirteenth
century used also of the buck (pp. 92,
93, above), and the forest documents
disclose no evidence as to the age
which the word implied. An early ex-
ample of its use is found in some
letters close of 26 March 122f (Rot.
Litt. Claus. ii. 178).
bulso (M. F. boujon, p. 1), a kind of arrow.
Another form of this word is ' bosun '
(p. 79), which occurs in For. Proc, Tr.
of Rec, No. 82. The form ' bosoun ' is
also found in Britton. See Britton (ed.
Nichols), vol. ii. p. 11.
The following passage occurs on the
Dorset eyre rolls of 8 Ed. i. :
Radulfus de Stopham tenet manerium
de Bryxaneston' quod ualet xx libr' per
annum per serianciam ad inueniendum
domino regi quocienscunque contigerit
ipsum habere exercitum in Angl' uel in
Walliam unum garcionem differentem
unum areum sine corda et unum buzo-
nem sine pennis ad sumptus sues pro-
prios per quadraginta dies {Assize Bolls
204, Bat. 36 d).
In two inquisitions of a later date
the word • tribulus ' is substituted for
' buzo ' :
predictum manerium tenetui de rege
per seruiciuminueniendi unum hominem
in braccis et camisia et nudum pedes
per quadraginta dies sumptibus suis
propriis in obsequium regis cum in
partes WalHe profecturus fuerit haben-
tem unum arcum sine corda et unum
tribulum non pennatum teuentem maio-
rem finem dicti tribuli in manu sua
{Inq.post tnortem, second numbers, 24
Ed. Hi. No. 30).
que tenentur de rege in capite per
seruicium inueniendi unum hominem in
excercitu regis in partibus Scocie pro-
fecturi nudum pedes camisia et braccis
uestitum habentem in una manu sua
unum arcum sine corda et altera manu
unum tribulum non pennatum {hiq.
post mortem, second numbers, 27 Ed.
Hi. No. 40).
The M.F. ' tribule ' is usually translated
by the English ' caltrop.' According
to the New English Dictionary, vol. ii.
p. 43, the latter word was applied in
Old English to brambles or buckthorn.
The following passage, therefore, sug-
gests that the ordinary translation of
the mediaeval Latin ' tribulus ' may be
' buckthorn ' :
de subbosco, uidelicet, spinarum eoru-
lorum et tribulorum in uiginti acris {Ac-
counts, Exch. Q.B., Bundle 145, No. 5).
It is improbable, however, that the
word ' tribulus ' mentioned in the ex-
tracts from the inquisitions quoted
above meant a shaft of buckthorn.
The syllable tri seems to point to an
arrow head with a triangular cross
section, that is to say, to a three-faced
head.
The description of the serjeanty of
Kalph of Stopham suggests that the
' bulso ' or ' huso ' usually had feathers
on it. The stringless bow and the
featherless arrow were probably em-
blems of office.
cableicium (p. 60), or cablicinm {M.F.
chablis), windf alien trees. Littr6 thus
defines the corresponding word in the
modern French :
Le chablis est le bois que la force du
vent ou quelque orage abat dans lea
forets.
The word occurs frequently on the
Close Eolls of 7 Henry iii. In the winter
of that year a great storm burst over
the country, which gave rise to a large
138
GLOSSARY
number of orders from the king relating
to the fallen timber. It would seem
from these and other entries that in
■ the thirteenth century ' cableicium '
was used of trees and not of branches,
but the point is not clear. The word
was still in use in the fifteenth century.
On 3 March 144i an inquisition ]post
mortem was held at Oakham on the
death of Anna Chiselden, and the
jurors found that she died seised in
her demesne as of fee of the warden-
ship of the forest of Rutland, ' una
cum wyndfallyn' wode derefallyn' wode
cabliciis. . . .' Another form of the
word is ' caplicium,' which occurs in
some letters close dated 2 September
1315 [Close Roll 138, vi. 25). Similarly
we have the form ' caplecium ' in an
ordinance of 4 February 123| {Close
Boll 49, m. 16 in dorso).
canes currentes, running hounds. Prob-
ably the earliest mention of these
hounds in our public records is in
some letters close dated 6 April 1205.
Thus,
Mittimus ad te R. B. cum octo lepo-
rariis et octo canibus currentibus et A.
cum octo canibus currentibus, man-
dantes tibi quod eisdem R. et A. facias
habere liberaciones ad se et ad equos
sues, scilicet, cuilibet duodecim denarios
per diem quamdiu ibi erunt per precep-
tum nostrum uel quousque aliud man-
datum nostrum inde habueris ; et
leporariis facias habere cuilibet in die
unum obulum et aliis canibus currenti-
bus facias fieri brennum unde pascantur,
nisi die quo current et pascantur coriata,
ea die nicbil liabeant canes neque
leporarii [Bat. Litt. Glaus, i. 26).
On the Rotulus Misae of 14 John the
following passage occurs :
Eidem H. ad inueniendas expensas
tresdecim canibus currentibus ad lepus
et tribus leporariis euntibus ad predic-
tum R. (Cole, Documents illustrative
of English History, p. 233).
This is the only case in the roll in
which ' canes currentes ' are men-
tioned.
It is probable that the ' canes cur-
rentes' included the hounds which
in the time of John were described
as ' canes de mota.'
canes de mota. An example of the use
of these words occurs in some letters
close of 6 January 122| :
Mittimus ad vos A. E., R. P. et A. de
N. cum uiginti canibus de mota et
duobus leporariis ad capiendum . . .
centum damos (Bot. Litt. Glaus, ii. 12).
An earlier example occurs in letters
close of 29 August 1214 :
Mittimus ad uos G., N., "W. et G.
uenatores nostros cum septem equis et
tribus bernariis et septem garcionibus
et xlviij canibus de mota, mandantes
quatinua eos- currere faciatis ad ceruos
et porcos inestiuatos [Bot. Litt. Glaus.
i. 170).
The canes de mota are frequently men-
tioned on the ' Rotulus Misae ' of 14
John and also in a Wardrobe Account
of 18 Ed. i. {Accounts, Q.R., Bundle
352, No. 26). The ' canes currentes '
are not mentioned in either of these
documents.
See also ceruericii, cheuerolez, da-
mericii, haericii, and porkerecii.
capriolus {M. F. chevreuil), a roe.
This word has the same meaning as
' cheuerellus,' which is merely a
Latinised form of the French ' chev-
reuil.' A roe which was killed in the
year 1251 is described in the forest
inquisition (pp. 95, 96) as ' cheuerellus,'
and in the corresponding eyre roll (p.
33) as ' capriolus.' The word ' cheuer-
illa ' occurs in a record of 21 Ed. i.
{Placita De Quo Waranto, p. 601).
ceppus or cippus (p. 48), the stump of a
tree. This word, which is not un-
common, occurs in the Chapters of the
Regard, which are printed in Boyal
Letters, Henry Hi. (Rolls Series) vol. i.
p. 347 : ' quilibet ceppus de quercu et
de fago.' The association of this word
to the word ' eradicare ' on p. 48 leaves
no doubt about its meaning. Another
passage in which the same association
occurs is to be found in a Northampton
forest roll of the year 1338. Thus :
mandamus quod omnes cippos arbo-
rum predictarum in balliua uestra pro-
stratarum non eradicates numeraretis
et euelleretis {For. Proc, Tr. of Bee,
No. 102).
' Ceppagium ' seems to have been used
sometimes in the same sense as
' ceppus.' Thus :
GLOSSARY
139
Claraat eciam habere ceppagia et
escaetas de quercubus . . . . ; set de
ceppagiis nesciuiit eo quod dictus E. et
dictus I. ea eradicare non fecerunt (For.
Froc, Tr. of Bee, 44, Boll 5, d).
ceruus (M. F. cerf), a hart, the male of
the red deer.
ceruericii canes, or ceruerettarii canes,
harthounds. The first of these words
occurs several times in some letters
close of 26 July 1225, thus :
Scribitur consfcabulario de S. de
magistro G. uenatore et I. S. missis cum
canibus ceruericiis ad currendum ad
ceruos [Bot. Litt. Claits. ii. 53 b).
There are three similar passages in
other letters close of the same date.
Again in some letters close of 18 August
1227 we have :
Mittimus uobis magistrum W. uena-
torem nostrum cum canibus nostris
ceruericiis et I. le F. et I. le Berner
uenatores H. de B. . . . cum canibua
suis ceruericiis et damericiis ad capien-
dum triginta ceruos et triginta daraos
(Bot. Litt. Glaus, ii. 198).
The ' ceruericii,' however, were not
exclusively used for hunting harts, for
in some letters close of 27 July 1225
the following passage occurs :
Rex mittit G-. et I. S. uenatores
cum canibus cerueric' ad currendum in
foresta de Dene et capiendum decern
porcos [Bot. Litt. Glaus, ii. 84).
The form ' ceruerettarii ' is used in the
Close Roll of 16 Ed. ii., thus :
Cum mittamus W. T. uenatorem nos-
trum cum P. W. lardinario G. S. et
R. B. bernariis W. de F., I. E., R. de
S. et R. de B. ueutrariis, W. B. pagio
nostris et cum uiginti leporariis et
quadraginta ceruerettariis ... ad pin-
guedinem (Close Boll 147, m. 32).
In the fifteenth century the king had
a master of his harthounds. Walter
FitzWalter, for example, was appointed
to the office in the reign of Hen. v. in
succession to Sir William Bourchier,
knight (see Pat. Roll 418, to. 10).
On 28 January 143i, Henry Bourghchier
was appointed by letters patent to the
same office. In the letters patent the
office is described as that of ' magister
canum nostrorum pro ceruo ' (Pat.
Boll 432, TO. 10), and in the corre-
sponding letters of privy seal as ' maistre
de nos chiens pour le cerf ' (Writs of
Privy Seal, File 964, No. 2457).
The harthounds were a breed of
running hounds ; for the letters patent
dated 12 March 1405 by which Robert
of Waterton was appointed master of
the harthounds in succession to the
Duke of York speak of ' officium magistri
nostrorum currencium uocatorum hert-
houndes ' (Patent Roll 374, to. 2).
cheuerellus, see capriolus.
cheuerolerez, hounds used for hunting
the roe-deer. This word occurs in the
Rotulus Misffi of 14 John :
In expensis cc et xiij leporariis et xvij
canum clieuerolerez qui sunt in custodia
Ade ueuatoris et xvj canum de mota qui
sunt in custodia Blundell' uenatoris et
XXV canum de mota qui sunt in custodia
Ferling' uenatoris (Cole, Domiments
illustrative of English History, p. 247).
In the same roll we have :
Ade uenatori et bernerio suo et xxiiij
canibus capreolariis euntibus . . . uersus
D. (ibid. p. 236).
In some letters close dated 29 August
1216, a certain hunter called Adam le
Cheuerelez is mentioned (Rot. Litt.
Claus. i. 284).
cheuerones (p. 68), rafters. Henry iii.
frequently directed the wardens of his
forests to deliver ' cheuerones ' to
various people. These directions were
enrolled on the Close Rolls, and in them
it is found that the word ' cheuerones '
is constantly associated to certain
other words. Thus :
viij postes, viij trabes, viij palnas, c
cheuerones ... ad quandam grangiam
faciendam (Bot. Litt. Glaus, ii. 65).
c cheuerones, x postes, xii paunas
(ibid. 104).
vj postes tortos, cxx cheuerones de
longitudine xx pedum et vj paunas
(ibid. 106, b).
XXX cheuerones, iiij trabes et iiij palnas
(ibid. 137).
Ix cheuerones, x postes et xij paunas
{Bot. Litt. Claus. i. 597, 545 b).
xij paunas et Ix cheuerones (ibid.
529 6., 536).
xij postes et x paunas efc Ixxx cheue-
rones (ibid. 535, b, 536).
iiij postes mediocres, iiij paunas medi-
oores, et xxx cheuerones mediocres
(ibid. 540, b).
140
GLOSSARY
V gistas, j paunam, et xxx cheuerones
{ibid. 542 b).
If these examples stood alone it might
be assumed that the word was applied
to a beam cut in a particular manner,
and having a specific use ; but this was
probably not the case, as will be seen
from the following passages on the
Close Eolls :
Ix cheuerones escapulatos et de alio
maireno [sic] quantum opus fuerit ad
domum suamdeTV. reedificandam {Sot,
Litt. Claus. i. 224).
Ix cheuerones et x frusta [sic] ad
paunas faciendas {Bot. Lift. Clatts. i.
628).
uendere . . . cheuerones de alno ad
scalcofaga {Close Boll 66, m. 22J.
When the king made presents of
' cheuerones ' the number granted was
always a multiple of five. On 26 July
1225 Hen. iii. sent letters close to the
foresters in fee of Savernake ordering
them to cause certain men of Marl-
borough to have ' cheuerones ' for re-
pairing their houses. Most of the men
were to receive ten each, but some re-
ceived fifteen, and others larger mul-
tiples of five {Rot. Litt. Claris, ii. 53).
See also copule below.
coerus, see sorus.
communiter (pp. 2, 3, 5). This word was
ocasionally used at the beginning of the
thirteenth century to qualify the word
' uillata ' ; but towards the end of the
same century this usage had become
obsolete. Thus, when some official
transcripts were made at the end of
the reign of Edward i. of certain
documents of the reign of John, in
which the words ' uillata communiter '
in an abbreviated form occurred fre-
quently, the transcribe'^s read them
sometimes as ' coniunctim,' and some-
times as ' conuicta.' See Fo7: Proc, Tr.
of Rec, No. 249, mvi. 1, 2, 13. In the
original rolls these words occurred in
lists of amercements of townships, some
being entered thus ' de uillata de M.,'
and others as ' de uillata de N. com-
muniter.'
coporones (pp. 67, 124), the crop or lop and
top of a tree. Usually the word was
applied to that part of a tree which was
not fit for timber, but sometimes the
smaller branches appear to have been
called ' escaete.' When the king gave
an oak to anybody, the gift, unless there
was a direction to the contrary, was
understood to refer to the timber of the
tree only, and the rest was, as a general
rule, a perquisite of the warden of the
forest or of a forester in fee. Thus it
was found by inquisition in the year
1289 that the warden of Sherwood
forest was entitled to have the bark
and ' couporones ' of oaks given by the
king from his bailiwick. In this case
there can be no reason to doubt that
the ' coporones ' included the small as
well as the large branches; and the
same may be said of many other pas-
sages where the word occurs (see e.g.
p. 60). Perhaps the words 'cum
escaetis ' were added to show that the
small branches on the side of the
trunk were to go with the branches
from the upper part of the trunk, the
word ' coporones ' being applied to the
top and ' escaete ' to the lop.
copule, couples. Henry iii. frequently
made presents of ' copule ' by letters
close, enrolled upon the Close Eolls,
and although it is clear that the word
was applied to some kind of beam or
rafter, its relation to ' cheuerones ' is
at present uncertain. But ' cheuerones,'
was probably a general term which
included ' copule.' The following are
examples of its use :
xl copule ... ad firmariam . . . facien-
dam {Bet. Litt. Claus. ii. 86).
XX copulas iiij trabes et iiij paunas,
{ibid. ii. 86).
xl copulas ad reparacionem domitorii
sui {ibid. i. 528, b).
cheuerones ad xxx copulas et in haya
de la Lya corbellos et alia necessaria ad
predictas copulas {Close Boll 43, m. 6).
couere (p. 81). This word probably meant
brindled or streaked. It was applied
to hounds in forest documents. Some-
times it was used without another
adjective; thus:
cum tribus leporariis suis quorum duo
erant couere et tercius albus {For. Proc,
Tr. of Bee, 83, m. 8) ;
and sometimes to qualify an adjective.
GLOSSARY
141
such as ' rubeus,' ' niger,' or ' faluus ' ;
thus :
cum duobus leporariis, quorum unus
erat fauw et pilosus et alius erat rubeus
couere (For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 132,
Boll 6).
cum duobus leporariis quorum unus
fuit niger couueire et alter fauf uestitus
(supra, p. 96).
duos canes unum fauf couerre et
alium griseum, qui uocatur Govver (For.
Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 5, Boll 9 d).
The expression ' niger coueratus '
(p. 81) should be noticed in considering
the meaning of this word. See also
tigrus and uerrus below.
dama (M.F. daime), the doe, the female
of the fallow deer,
damus, (M.F. daim) the buck, the male
of the fallow deer.
damericii. This is an adjective used
with the word ' canes ' to signify buck-
hounds. An example of its use in the
reign of Hen. iii. has already been
quoted from some letters close of
18 August 1227, under the word
ceruericii. We also have in some letters
close of 30 June 1213 :
mittimus ad uos W. de M. cum tribus
hominibus et duobus equis et duodecim
deimericiis et sex leporariis (Boi. Litt.
Glaus, i. 137).
Again, in some letters close of 16
August 1215 we have :
mittimus ad uos A. de C. cum duobus
equis suis et quatuordeoim canibus nos-
tris daimmariciis mandantes quatinus
ipsum cum canibus suis currere faciatis
in B. ad danmos (ibid. i. 225).
And in other letters close of 29 October
1225 we have :
cum canibus deimericiis ad curren-
dum ad damos (Bot. Litt. Glaus, ii. 84).
On the Berkshire eyre rolls of 12
Ed. i. the following entry occurs :
Willelmus Louel tenet duas carucatas
terre de domino rege apud Benhara per
serianciam custodiendi unam meutam
deymiterorum canum (Assize Bolls, No.
46, Boll 5 d).
As a rule the words ' canes damericii '
were used only of a particular breed of
running hounds used for buck hunting.
From an early date, however, the
manor of Little Weldon in North-
amptonshire was held by the service of
keeping the king's ' canes damericii,'
and it is probable that in this case,
which is an exceptional one, they were
a pack consisting partly of running
hounds and partly of greyhounds. Un-
doubtedly in the reign of Hen. vi. the
word buckhounds included both grey-
hounds and running hounds, for in
27 Hen. vi. the lord of the manor of
Little Weldon presented a petition in
parliament in which the following
passage occurs :
Forasmuche that be holditli of
you . . . the manoir of Lityll Weldon in
tlie counte of Norhamt' by Graunte
Sergeaunte, that is to witte, to be
maister of your Bukhoundes and to
kepe xxiiij rennyng lioundes and vj
grehoundes (Bolls of Parliament, vol.
V. p. 167, h).
deduetus (F. deduit), game. By the letters
patent dated 27 January 141| appoint-
ing a justice of the forest south of
Trent (Pat. Roll 399, m. 12) he was
also appointed 'magister deduetus.'
With three exceptions all subsequent
holders of the office were appointed
' magistri deduetus ' which was trans-
lated, as soon as the letters patent
began to be written in English, as
' master of the game.' An early
instance of the word occurs in the
Patent Roll of 19 Ed. i. (Pat. Roll
109, m. 23) but in the corresponding
Calendar of Patent Rolls (p. 413) it is
wrongly translated as ' decoy.' An
earlier form is ' deduccio,' which occurs
in the Close Roll of 36 Hen. iii. thus :
facere septem trencheyas ... ad de-
ducciones regis (Close Boll 66, vi. 24j.
escapium (p. 64), money paid for beasts
escaping into forbidden enclosures.
The payments varied in different places.
A full account of the payments enforced
in a bailiwick in the forest of Peek is
found on the Derby forest eyre rolls of
13 Ed. i. :
Tota Campania infra metas suas est
in defenso per totum annum ; et similiter
Eydal' ; ita quod nemo habet comraunam
nee accessum in eadem cum aueriis. Et
si aueria uel animalia ibidem uenerint
per eschapium, dabitur pro eisdem,
142
GLOSSARY
uidelicet, pro affro ij den', pro boue j
flen' et pro quinque ouibus j den', etsi
hec inueniantur bis infra duo placita
attachiamentoruni foreste, quod sitercio
inueniantur infra duo attachianienta
tunc debent appreciari ad opus regis,
uidelicet, affrum prout ualet, bos ad
sex solidos uacca ad quinque solidos
et reliqui auerii [sic] minoris precii
ad quatuor solidos et reliqui auerii
infra duos annos ad duos solidos ; et ouis
ad xij den' : et porcus superannatus ad
xij den' {Duchy of Lancaster, For.
Proc, Bundle 1, No. 5, Boll 15 cL).
faluus {M. F. fauve), fallow. In the
forest rolls this word is frequently used
of greyhounds and other dogs. It was
also used of horses. In a roll of forest
inquisitions of 19 to 21 Ed. i. [Fen-.
Proc, Tr. of Bee, 82), we also have
' iumentum fauum.' The forms ' fauf '
(p. 96), 'fauw'and ' fauwe,' are also
found occasionally, the last two occur-
ring in the Nottingham eyre roll of
8 Ed. iii. (For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, 132,
Roll 6). The compound adjectives
' fauf uestitus ' (p. 96) and ' faluus
ruffus ' {For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, 127,
Roll 6) deserve notice.
fermisona, the season of hunting the
hind and the doe. It extended from
11 November to 2 February. The fol-
lowing is an extract from a fine levied
at Lichfield on 3 February 124| :
Capere in predicto parco unam daniam
in fermisona inter festum sancti Martini
et Purificacionem beate Marie {Feet of
Fines, Stafford, File 5, No. 28).
In some letters close of 6 October
1310 we have :
cum mittamus dilectum uallettum . . .
ad capiendum . . . quadraginta damas
de instanti seisona fermesonis {Close
Boll 133, m. 21).
An undated document, a chirograph
between William, earl de Warenne, and
John of Thornhill, contains the follow-
ing:
Idem comes concessit eidem lohanni
et heredibus suis libera capere per
annum quinque ceruos de pinguedine et
quinque bissas in fermisione {Ancient
Deeds, A. 317).
Another form of the same word was
' fermacio ' (see For. Proc. Tr. of Rec,
83, m. 4).
Bee also finguedo.
feto {M. F. faon), a fawn. ' Fhoon,'
' feon ' and ' faon,' all treated as nouns
of the third declension, are forms of
this word. It is used of both sexes :
octo faones masculi et duodecim
femelle {Close Boll 61, m. 6 1.
It is also used of the red and fallow
deer alike : thus, ' feto dami ' (p 82
above), and ' cum feonibus bisse ' (p. 62
above). Also :
uiginti et quatuor feones, uidelicet
medietatem bissarum et aliam medieta-
tem damarum {Close Boll 142, m. 19).
Apparently it is not necessarily a beast
of less than a year old, for we have the
expression ' feto unius anni ' (p. 106
above).
Heck {M. F. fl^ehe), a fletch. This word
seems to have denoted a particular
part of an arrow. Thus we have ' duas
sagittas barbatas sine fleck ' (pp. 94, 95),
which are also described as ' due sagitte
fracte.' The fletch would be the wooden
part of the arrow, on which the metal
head and the feathers were fixed. In
the Huntingdon Feet of Fines, File 11,
No. 220, we have the words ' una
fieccha pennata.' Perhaps a dart with-
out a metal head was called a fletch.
The passages in which arrows are
mentioned in this volume are collected
together under the word walisca below,
fusta (p. 80). This word seems to have
been applied to trees generally. It was
not applied exclusively either to timber
trees or to trees expressly grown for
fuel, or which had become only fit
for fuel.
Uiginti fusta ad maeremium cum
omnibus coperonibus et escaetis suLs
ad operaciones {Close Boll 65, m. 20).
Quadraginta fusta ... ad trabes et
gistas {Bat. Litt. Clans, i. p. 595;.
Duo fusta ad buscam inde faciendam
{Bot. Litt. Claus. ii. p. 64).
That the word was applied to trees
grown for fuel is also evident from the
fact that ' robora ' (the word usually
applied to such trees) were sometimes
referred to as ' fusta,' thus :
Meminimus nos alias dedisse fratri
R. quondam abbati de S. decem uetera
robora non ferentia fructum uel folia . . .
adfocum suum que uec dielus abbas nee
GLOSSARY
143
frater S. nunc abbas . . . receperunt. . . .
Et ideo tibi precipimus quod, si ita est,
tunc tot fusta quot eidem abbati aretro
sunt de numero illo . . . habere facias
{Bot. Litt. Glaus, i. p. 590).
The same fact shows that the word was
not applied to trees of a particular
species, for ' robur ' was used both of
oaks and beeches: perhaps, also of other
trees. This again is evident from the
marginal note ' De fustis ad focum
regis ' on a close roll, to which tb«
corresponding entry is as follows :
Mandatum est . . . , quod ob cap-
cionem centum et quinquaginta quer-
cuvm et centum spmarum .... {Close
Boll 65, m. 22).
Finally, the word was applied, not only
to dwarfed trees such as ' robora,' but
likewise to tall trees. Thus :
Quinque magna et grossa fusta et
longa ad paunas faciendas {Bot. Litt.
Claus. i. p. 522, b).
Duo fusta ... ad duas uirgas faciendas
ad trubeehettum {B.ot. Litt. Claus. ii.
p. 62, b).
genderatuB (p. 77) and gender^se (p. 96).
These words are used of arrows.
Nothing is said of them in Du
Cange's Glossarium, and there is
nothing in the context in which they
occur to suggest a meaning. The letter
n in both examples may be read as u,
and the third e in the second form may
be meant for an o, but the forms adopted
in the text seem to be the true readings.
In the absence of any evidence on
the point it may be suggested that
'genderatus' is a Latin word formed
from the mediaeval form of the French
' cendree,' which is defined by Littre
as ' 6eume de plomb.' The word would
then signify that there was a ball of
lead at the end of the arrow to prevent
too much penetration into the deer.
The final e in the form ' genderese ' is
represented in the manuscript by a
mark of contraction which may be a
mere flourish. In this case ' genderes '
would be an attempt at the French
word.
iiaericii and ha-.eretti. These words
used adjectively with ' canes ' denoted
a particular breed of running hounds
(see canes currentes). They are fre-
quently mentioned on the close rolls of
the reigns of Ed. ii. and Ed. iii. Thus
we have :
Mandatum est . . . quod dicto W. de B.
et R. S. uenatoribus quos rex mittitcum
uiginti et quatuor canibus haierettis
decern et octo leporariis duobus bernariis
"duobus ueutrariis uno bersellettario uno
berseletto et uno lardenario ad capiendos
damos {Close Boll 133, m. 1).
Although the words may be translated
by ' harriers ' the above example and
many others show that they were prin-
cipally used for hunting deer. Indeed
the words ' haerieii ' and ' haieretti '
seem to have no philological relation
to the word ' hare.' Two manors were
held of the king in chief by the service
of keeping the king's haj'riers, namely,
AWerbury in Wiltshire and Buck-
hamptoQ in Berkshire. The following
passages relating to these serjeanties
are of interest on account of the
spellings :
Seriancia Willelmi Herez in Alwarde-
bir' pro qaa, debuit custodire canes
hayerez domini regis {Testa de Nevill,
147, b).
Ricardus Hayerez tenuit unasn uirga-
tam terre cum pertinenciis in Alwarde-
byr' per serianciam custodiendi canes
haj'erez domini regis [Bot nil Hun-
dredorum, ii. 234).
Et Henricus de Heyraz tenet racione
uxoris sue duas uirgatas terre in Al-
wardbur' de rege in capite pro in-
ueniendo custodem ad canes heyricios
domini regis {Botxdi Hundredorum,
ii. 2421.
Seriancia Willelmi de Heyrez in
Alwardebur' pro qua debuit custodire in
curia domini regis canes haeriez domini
regis {Testa de N^evill^ 146, b).
Item Radulfus Raher de Bothampton'
tenet duas uirgatas terre de domino rege
in capite per serianciam, scilicet, pro
custodiendo uiginti et quatuor canes
baarett' domini regis et percapit per
dietam sexdecim denarios d*- domino
rege {Botuli Hundredorum, i 11).
Raorus de Bachampton' et Radulfus
Hoppershort teuent tree hidas terre in
Bachampt' de domino rege per serian-
ci.im custodiendi canes liayrar' {Testa
de Nevill, 127, b).
T 2
144
GLOSSARY
On the Berkshire eyre rolls of 12 Ed. i.
we have :
lohannes de Baa tenet duas hydattas
terre de domino rege in Bokhampton,
per serianciam custodiendi unam
meutani caniculorum haerettoruni ad
custum domiui regis {Assize EoUs 46,
Eoll 6 d).
The following is an extract from the
letters patent, dated 17 July, 1461, by
which John Lovel was appointed
master of the king's harriers :
Sciatis quod . . . dedimus et conces-
simus eidem I. officium magistri canum
nostrorum uocatorum hereres . . . per-
cipiendo . . . uadia pro uenatoribus
nostris et expensis unius equi nostri et
putura canum nostrorum . . . uidelicet
pro uadiis unius ualetti bamers quatuor
denarios diurnos . . . et pro duobus
ualettis barners pro utroque eorum
duos denarios diurnos, et pro duobus
ualettis ueauteres predictis pro utroque
eorum duos denarios diumos . . . ac
pro putura triginta et sex canum curren-
cium et nouem leporariis pro quolibet
eorum unum obolum et quadrantem per
diem (Pat. Boll 492, ??i. 5).
hynulus, the fawn of a hind or doe.
quod dama cum hynulo suo possit
intrare et exire (For. Proc, Ancient
Chancery, No. 14).
The word, of which the classical form
is ' hinnulus,' was not used only of the
fallow deer, for in the Nottingham
forest eyre rolls of 15 Ed. i. we have the
words ' hynulus cerui' {For. Proc, Tr.
of Bee, No. 127, Roll 2 d).
if or yf (pp. 79, 96), yew. In documents
relating to the forest the Latin word
' taxus ' was never used, but its place was
taken by the French ' if.' The French
word was also used by the English
Chancery clerks (see Bot. Litt. Claus.
ii. pp. 96, 119).
iniare (p. 39), a medieval form of
' inhiare.'
kaceken. For an example of this word
see bernarius, above.
laia (M. F. laie), a wild sow.
decimam uenacionis nostra capte in
comitatibus Noting' et Dereby, scilicet,
de ceruis et bissis et damis et damabus
porcis et laiis {Eot. Cart. 189, h).
limarius (M. F. limier), a limehound.
This hound is occasionally mentioned
in our public records.
Ricardus de Aslakeby tenet duas caru-
catas terre in Aslakeby per seruicium
aptandi unum limarium ad opus domini
regis [Testa de Nevill, p. 368 b).
In the printed text the word is wrongly
spelt as ' luuarium.'
On the Pipe Rolls of 4 Hen. iii. the
following passage occurs :
Episcopus Elyensis debet duodecim
canes de mota et unum liemer' (Pipe
Bolls 64, Boll 10).
In some letters close of 14 April 1221
we have :
Mittimus R. P. cum xiiij canibus de
mota et uno limerio.
Mittimus ad uos R. de B. cum xvj
canibus de mota et uno limerio et R. de
R. de S. cum xiiij canibus et uno limerio
ad currendum ad ceruum in oris foreste
de C. [Bat. Litt. Claus. i. 453).
And in some letters close of 18 Febru-
ary 1214 we have :
Mittimus ad uos R. uenatorem domini
E. quondam Elien' episcopi cum duobus
hominibus et uno beiiiario et duobus
equis et xviij canibus de mota et uno
limario. . . . (Bot. Litt. Claus. i.
188 6).
These passages should be compared
with those quoted under the word ber-
sellettus above. It is not improbable
that the limehound and the bercelet
were different names for the same
animal. Littre thus defines ' limier ' :
Grand cliien qui sert a la chasse des
grosses betes telles que le cerf , le sanglier
etc. surtout pour les lancer hors de leur
fort, ou pour acbever de les tuer, lors-
que etant forcees elles se defendent
trop bien centre les cliiens de meute.
Le limier ne parle pas (Dictionnaire
Francais).
But the English ' limarius ' of the
middle ages may have been a very
different animal from the French
' limier ' of to-day.
lupus. The following passage taken from
the rolls of the forest eyre in Derby in
13 Ed. i. is of some interest :
lohannes le Wolflionte et predictus
Thomas filius Thome Foleiamb' tenent
unam bouatam terre que aliquando fuit
GLOSSARY
145
una seriancia assignata ad capiendos
luijos in foresta . . .
Et quesitum est que iura pertinent ad
serianciam illam. Dicunt quod nulla ni-
si terra tantum, et non debet nominari
inter balliuas de Campan', set quod
quolibet anno, uidelicet, tempore Marcii
et tempore Septembris, debent ire per
median! forestam ad ponendas pegas ad
lupos capiendos ubi fuerit accessus
luporum eo quod illis temporibus non
possunt lupi odorare terram fossam adeo
bene sicut aliis temporibus anni. Et
eciam ibunt in foresta tempore estatis
circiter festum sancti Barnabe quando
lupi habent catulos ad illos capiendos
et distruendos et non aliis temporibus.
Et tunc habebunt cum eis unum gar-
cionem portantem ingenia sua. Et
omnes erunt iurati et portabunt uuam
hacliiam et unam gesarme et cultelluni
ad zonam suam et non arcus nee sagittas.
Et habebunt secum unum mastinum
non expeditatum et ad hoc edoctum .
Et erunt ad sumptus suos proprios ; et
nichil aliud facient in foresta (Duchy
of Lancaster, For. Proc, Bundle 1,
No. 5, Boll U d).
lutericii, otterhounds. In a Wardrobe
Account of 18 Ed. i. the following entry
appears :
Et lolianni le Oterliunte pro putura
octo canum suorum lutericiorum
(Accounts, Q.B., Bundle 352, No. 26,
m. 4, itli and 5th entries).
Ed. iv. had a pack of otterhounds
which, like the packs of harriers and
buckhounds, was composed partly of
running hounds and partly of grey-
hounds. By letters patent dated
18 July 1461 the ' ofEce called oter-
hunt ' was granted to Thomas Harde-
groue for life. The letters patent
contain the following recital :
Cum Thomas Hardegroue officium
uocatum oterhunt a quinto die Marcii
ultimo preterito hucusque occupauerit
et duos leporarios et decem canes
currentes in custodia sua per idem
tempus habuerit (Patent Boll 495,
m. 5).
mastinus, a mastiff. It is difficult to
distinguish between the letters to and n
in thirteenth century handwritings, but
the word seems to be ' mastinus,' not
' mastiuus.' It should be remembered
that the corresponding Modern French
word is ' matin.' On the other hand,
in an inquisition held at New Salisbury
in 44 Ed. iii. we have the words, ' cum
uno cane uocato mastif ' [For. Proc,
Tr. of Rcc, 318, Fourteenth Skin).
The spelling with the letter n is cor-
roborated by Mathew Paris, who states
that a legate a latere, Magister Martinus,
was nicknamed ' mastinus ' on account
of his rapacity :
quem propter improbam rapacitatem
suam multi magistrum Mastinum appel-
larunt (Chronica Maiora, Rolls Series,
iv. 368).
The word mastiff in the middle ages may
have sometimes been used of the bull-
dog, which belongs to the mastiff class ;
but in the thirteenth century it is prob-
able that it usually denoted a dog re-
sembling a modern mastiff". There is
abundant evidence that the ' mastiff '
was used to protect its master's
property. Thus in the Buckingham
forest eyre rolls of 1256 we have :
duo mastini . . . quos H. R. messor
dicti abbatis solitus fuit ducere secum
ad campum dicti abbatis custodiendum
inuenti fuerunt dilacerantes unum
soerum dami (For. Proc, Tr. of Bee,
No. 2, Boll 1 d).
Numerous entries on the eyre rolls show
that it was large and strong enough to
kill deer, although it was certainly not
used as a hunting dog. It was because
it was capable of doing injury to the
beasts of the forest, and was at the same
time a possession almost necessary to
the inhabitants of the forest, that they
were allowed to possess them, provided
that they were lawed : that is to say,
provided that three claws were cut from
the forefoot ' without the ball.'
The mastiff was also used for de-
stroying wolves ; see lupus above.
mota (p. 99, M. F. meute), a pack of
hounds. Some examples of the use of
this word will be found above under
canes de mota.
ouiare (pp. 19 and 36), a mediaeval form
of ' obuiare.'
palna or pauna. This word frequently
occurs in the Close Rolls in conjunc-
tion with ' cheuerones ' and ' copule,'
146
GLOSSARY
under which words examples of its use
will be found in this Glossary. It also
occurs occasionally in conjunction with
other words used in building ; thus :
ii postes et ii paunas .... ad seheber-
gandum {Bot. Litt. Claus. ii. 65).
V magna et grossa fusta et longa ad
paunas faciendas [ihid. i. 522, h).
vj postes et iiij paunas et iiij soliuas
(ibid. i. 529, b).
ij furcas et ij paunas {ibid. 539, b).
V gistas et unam paunam et xxx
cheuerones {ibid. i. 542, b).
peia (p. 95, M. F. pi^ge), a snare. The
form ' pega ' occurs in the extract
quoted under the word lupus above.
The words ' peia ' and ' pega ' are
derived from ' pedica.' On the Pipe
Rolls of 8 John we have :
Et Waltero Lupario x sol' iij den' ad
pedicas faciendas ad lupos capiendos
{Pipe Bolls 52, Boll 27 Dorset).
percursum, the right of pursuing a beast
from outside a forest into it.
Habeat percursum suum, scilicet quod
liceat ei persequi feram, quocunque
fugiet, sine in forestam nostram siue
alias donee capta fuerit {Bot. Chart, p.
12).
perticha (ill. F. perche), the beam of the
antlers of a deer. Under the v/ord
'perche' Littr6 has :
Terme de venerie. Les deux grosses
tiges du bois ou de la tete du cerf, du
daim et du chevreuil, auxquelles les
andouillers sont attaches.
Another form of this word is 'perchia.'
Thus a letter to the king dated about
1220 contains the following passage :
Et sumerant arcum suum cum sagitta
sanguinolenta et perchias cerui sanguiu-
olentes cum corio et quadam portione
uenationis (Shirley's Boyal Letters,
Rolls Series, i. p. 83).
The reference to the original letter,
which is nearly illegible, is Anc. Coir.
iii. No. 106.
Again on the Close Roll of 9 Hen. iii.,
we have :
Mandatum est H. de A. quod omnes
perchias de ceruo quas penes se habet
de foresta nostra que est in custodia sua
habere faciat P.O. balistario ad nuces
balistarum faciendas {Bot. Litt. Claus.
ii. 50).
This last entry should be compared
with another on the same roll :
Precipimus tibi quod habere facias
magistro P. Balistario dimidiammarcam
pro nucibus neruis et cornu que emit
per preceptum nostrum ad balistas nos-
tras de Corf reparandas {ibid. ii. 63).
pinguedo (p. 105), the season for hunting
the hart and the buck. It extended
from 3 May to 14 September.
The following is an extract from a
fine levied at Lichfield on 3 February
124|.
Capere in predicto parco .... unum
damum in pinguedine inter f estum sancte
Crucis in Mayo et festum sancte Crucis
in Septembre {Feet of Fines, Stafford,
File 5, No. 28).
In an undated charter of Richard i.
to the Templars, we have :
tres ceruos in pinguedine ceruorum
{Carte Antique, BB. or 49, Entry 12).
The word ' pinguedo ' should be trans-
lated as ' grease,' the period during
which harts and bucks were hunted
being known as ' the time of grease.'
In some letters patent of 16 May
1384 we have :
concessimus . . . duos damos de grees
et duas damas de fermeson percipiendos
singulis annis in seisonis {Patent Boll
818, m. 12).
The beasts hunted during the time
of grease were sometimes called ' pin-
guedo.' See, for example, the first ex-
tract from the Close Rolls printed
under the word bernarius above. See
also fermisona above.
porkerecii, hounds used for hunting wild
boars. The word occurs in the Rotulus
MisiB of 14 John :
Rogero Burnell et Bernerio suo et
xvj canibus porkereciis per unam noctem
xiiijfZ (Cole's Documents illustrative of
English History, p. 241).
In some letters close of 8 November
we have :
Mittimus uobis W. ueiiatorem nos-
trum et socios suos ad currendum in
foresta de C. cum canibus nostris pork-
ariciis, ita quod capiant in die duos uel
tres porcos {Bot. Litt. Claus. i. 181 6).
In some letters close of 10 September
1214 a Radulfus de Porkerettis is
described as a fewterer (Rot. Litt.
GI.OSyARY
147
Claus. i. 173). In the Eotulus Misae
of 14 John a certain hunter is called in
one place Thomas de Porkerez and in
another Thomas de Porkereciis (Coles,
Documents, p. 253).
priketus, a pricket. The pricket is fre-
quently mentioned in the Nottingham
forest eyre rolls of 15 Ed. i. {For. Proc,
Tr. of Rec. No. 127), and although the
words ' priketus dami ' and ' priketus
dame ' often occur in them, they con-
tain no instances of the words ' j^riketus
cerui ' or ' priketus bisse.' From this
it would appear that the word from an
early date was usually applied to the
fallow deer only. There, are, however,
instances to the contrary. Thus, in
the Nottingham eyre rolls of 8 Ed. iii.,
we have the expression ' prickettus
cerui ' (For Proc, Tr. of Rec, No. 132,
Roll 6 d). Manwood uses it of a buck
of two years old. It should be noticed
that in a roll of inquisitions (p. 92
above) of 34 to 39 Hen. iii., the word
is spelt ' pricard,' and this may be an
older form.
regardator, a regarder. It should be
noticed that in the forest pleas of the
reign of John, the form ' regardor ' is
used. So too in the Charter of the
Forest we have ' reguardores.' The
earlier form was no longer in use in
the thirtieth year of Hen. iii.
retropannagium (pp. 67, 124), after-pan-
nage : that is to say, money paid by
way of pannage for the agistment of
pigs in the king's demesne woods after
the termination of the ordinary pannage
season. Usually a halfpenny a pig was
paid for after-pannage :
Dicunt quod idem I. habet retro-
pannagium, ita, scilicet, quod quando
dominus rex die sancti Martini accipit
pannagium suum, omnes illi qui porcos
SUDS habere uoluerint ultra ilium diem
sicut prius fuerunt in dominicis boscis
dabunt pro quolibet porco dicto fores-
tario unum obolum [Bat. Hiind. i. p. 26).
robur, probably a pollard tree of any
kind, but perhaps also a tree stunted
by nature and not fit for timber. In
the thirteenth century the king sent
frequently letters close to the wardens
of his forests directing them to cause
divers people to have trees ; they weie
usually described as ' quercus ' or
' robora.' In the letters close the word
' quercus ' was generally followed by
the words ' ad meremium,'and ' robora'
nearly always by ' ad focum suum.'
This shows that the ' robora ' were fit
for fuel rather than timber. The word
was used of oaks, for the expression
' robora quercus ' is not uncommon.
It was also used of beeches, for we have
the expression ' robora fagorum ' in a
forest inquisition held at Clarendon in
35 Ed. iii. (see For. Proc, Tr. of Rec,
No. 310, skin 10) ; and other instances
of the same expression could be cited.
Moreover, in an account of a sale of
wood made in the year 29 Ed. i., we
have a long list of ' robora ' and six
' stubbs ' and their prices, and at the
end of it the words ' Summa quercuum
et fagorum uenditarum ' {Accounts,
Exch. Q. R., Bundle 147, No. 10). The
six stubbs were sold for 3s. id. In some
letters close dated 25 March 1278 the
words ' robora castenearum ' are men-
tioned (Close Roll 100, m. 11). These
facts show that the word ' robur ' was
not applied to trees of a particular
species, but to those of a particular
growth or condition.
The king's gifts of 'robora' were
often limited to trees in a particular
state, thus :
quadraginta uetera robora .... ad
duos rogos {But. Litt. Claus. ii. 19, b).
duo robora folia non ferentia {ibid.
92, 6, 93, h).
duo robora sicca folia non ferentia
(ihid. 119, b).
These and many similar entries show
that the word was used of trees which
were, often, old, dry and leafless, a fre-
quent condition of pollard trees. A
passage which deserves special notice
is as follows :
buscam tarn de subbosco quara de
ueteribus roboribus cum frondibus et
aliis escaetis Buis ad duos rogos facien-
das [Close Boll 65, 7n. 6).
In most forests when the king gave a
tree to anybody the crop or top and lop,
which were described sometimes by the
Latin words ' coporones et escaeta ' and
at others by ' coporones ' only, belonged
148
GLOSSARY
to the warden, unless there was an
order to the contrary. In this case the
word ' frondes ' is used instead of
• coporcnes,' as if the latter were con-
sidered inappropriate.
The word ' robnr ' was certainly not
used to denote the mere stumps of
trees, for in a verderer's roll of 38 Hen.
iii. we have :
De cablicio; de uno robore nento
prostrate [For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, 249,
Boll 26).
Although ' robora ' were usually given
for fuel, there are instances of gifts for
other pui-poses, thus :
de pomeriis et ueteribus roboribus
quantum necesse fuerit ad perficiendum
rotas molendinorum regis . . . . et alia
niinuta ad molendina ilia pertinencia
{Close Boll ^&, m. 20.
sex robora ad scindulas faciendas
(ihid. 7)1. 15).
In the roll from which the last extract
is taken, the words 'de quercubus
datis ' are written in the margin.
On a Northamptonshire forest roll of
the year 1338, the form ' rouere '
appears instead of ' robur ' {For. Proc,
Tr. of Bee, No. 102).
rusca (If. F. ruche), a hive. Thus :
ignem secum portauerunt et ruscam
apum cremauerunt et mel inde asporta-
uerunt et unam quercum combiu'eruut
{For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, 83,??j. 4).
sequilones. This word seems to have
denoted dry wood. In the Huntingdon
forest eyre rolls of 1278 we have :
et eeiam claraat sequilones in haiis
predictis que possunt colligi a manu
sine utensili ferreo {For. Proc, Tr. of
Bee, No. 44, Bot. 5 d).
Again in an inquisition held on 8 July
1251 the following passages occur :
Homines domini regis de Clyue et de
Apetorp . . . consueuenint habere secu-
lones iacentes super terram quod mani-
bus suis coUigere poteruut.
Homines de Geytington habuerunt
. . . siceum quod iacuit per terram quod
colligere possent manibus suis sine
armis emolitis {InquisitionpostmoTt»m,
35 Hen. iii. No. 61).
sewel (p. 131). An English word mean-
ing a scarecrow.
Anythyng that is hung up is caUed a
sewel. And those are used most com-
monly to amaze a Deare and to make
him refuse to pass wher they are
hanged up (Turberville, Book of Hunt-
ing, ed. 1575, p. 98).
sorbauzwan (p. 115), a sorel horse with
white feet. The corresponding com-
pound word in modern French \s,saure-
balzan. Littr^ defines ' balzan ' thus :
adj. m. Terme de manege. Cheval
balzan, cheval noir ou bai, qui a des
marques blanches aux pieds.
And ' saure ' :
adj. D'une couleur jaune qui tire snr
le brun ; ne se dit guere qu'en parlant
des ehevaux. Un cheval saure.
The word occurs in the Close Eoll of
10 Ed. ii., thus :
Sorus bauzanus dextrarius {Close
Boll 139, VI. 30).
sorellus or zorellus, a sorel. Manwood
calls a buck of the third year a sorel ;
but ' sorellus ' in the thirteenth cen-
tury was applied both to the red deer
and the fallow deer. Thus in the Not-
tingham eyre rolls of the year 15 Ed. i.
{For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, 127), we have
' zorellus cerui ' on one roll {Rot. 3) and
'zorellus dami ' on another {Rot. 5).
sorus, a soar. Other forms of this word
are 'coerus' (p. 27), 'zourus' (p. 93),
' yourus ' {For. Proc, Tr. of Rec, 82),
and ' szourus ' {For. Proc, Tr. of Rec,
No. 12, Rot. 4 d). Manwood {Forest
Lawes, p. 43 v") states that the soar is
a buck of the fourth year. The word
was undoubtedly so used in the six-
teenth century and perhaps earlier ; hut
in the thirteenth century it was aj^plied
to the hart as well as to the buck, for
more than one instance can be cited of
the words ' sourus cerui ' (pp. 93, 105).
stablia (pp. 34, 44, 99), a besetting of a
wood for the purpose of taking deer or
other beasts. Other forms of the same
word are ' stabilea,' and ' stablea.' The
besetting might be made with men,
nets, greyhounds, sticks and otherwise.
The following examples illustrate some
of the methods employed :
Faciunt stabileam inter hayam de T.
per unam leucam et dimidiam cum
retibus {For. Proc, Tr. ofBec.,279, skhi
7 d: Cannok Forest, 39 Ed. Hi.).
GLOSSARY
149
Interfecerunt cluas damas per stabi-
leam cum leporariis et baculis (For.
Proc, Tr. of Bee, 310, skin 8 ; I)iq. at
Lindhurst, 48 Ed. Hi.).
Et fecerunt stableara inter forestam
et forincecos boscos cum equis et
hominibus (For. Proc, Tr. of llec,
S18,ski}i 6; Bjg. at Marlborough, 35
Ed. Hi.).
Cum fere domini regis transeunt
metas foreste usque in schaciam domini
R. filii P., que se iung^t foreste, pro-
tinus idem R. per stabelliam eas facit
tenere in schacia sua et sic per stabel-
liam in parcum suum . . . fugare {For.
Proc, Tr. of Bee, Southants, No. 161
Boll 8).
Uenit R. prior de O. cum arcubus
sagittis et leporariis et cum tota libera
familia sua et omnibus hominibus suis
de uilla de C, quos fecit summoueri quod
uenissent usque boscum suum de C. qui
est infra metas foreste. . . . Et cum
facta fuisset stabelia, que circuiuit
totuni boscum predictum et boscum de
L., fecit predictus prior scrutare boscos
illos cum canibus suis predictis, qui
mouerunt tres damos {For. Proc, Tr.
of Bee, No. 158, Boll 9 d).
staggard. According to Manwood {Forest
Laives, ed. 1615, p. 41 v") a staggard is
a hart of the fourth year. The word
occurs in an inquisition held at Somer-
ton on 16 June 1368, and is there spelt
' stagard ' (For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, 309,
ski7i 12). The word was not in use in
the thirteenth century.
staggus, a stag. Manwood defines a stag
as a hart of the fifth year (Forest
Lawcs, ed. 1615, p 41 v"). On the rolls
of the Cumberland eyre of 1285 the
words ' unus staggus bisse ' occur (For.
Froc, Tr. of Bee, 5, Boll 10). And
in some letters patent of 4 October 1341
we have ' unus staggus unius cerui '
(Patent Roll 206, m. 7) ; and in a forest
inquisition of 21 April 1341 the words
' staggus cerui ' occur (For. Proc, Tr.
of Bee, No. 311).
strakare, to bolt, to run off in a straight
line.
permiserunt leporarios suos currere ad
unura leporem. Et leporarii sui
strakauerunt et ceperunt unum feonem
(For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 5, Boll
10 d).
strakur. This word seems to have been
applied to dogs used for poaching. It
occurs several times in the Cumber-
land forest eyre rolls of 15 Ed. i.
(For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 5).
per unum strakur faluum {Boll 5).
cum uno stracur nigro {Boll 5).
cum duobus leporariis . . . et cum
uno strakur griseo {Boll 7 d).
strakur {Boll 10).
cum duobus leporariis strakurs {Boll
12 d).
Stub. In modern English this word is
applied to a stump from which under-
wood is grown ; but it was probably
used of pollard trees in the middle
ages. In the prices of vert for which
the verderers accounted in the Notting-
ham forest eyre of 1834, that of the
stub is too high for it to refer to a
stump which could be of little value.
It should be noticed, too, that the word
' robur ' which probably meant pollard,
is not found in this list. There is a
parcel of documents at the Record Office
labelled 'Augmentations, Accounts of
Woods, One Parcel, Hen. viij.' It
contains a book in manuscript with a
paper cover, entituled ' Presentmentes
of the preservators of woodis. De
tempore regine Elizabethe.' In this
book at f. 3 r°, we have :
one stubbe wherin was one tonne
and a half of tymber, the which we
counte altogether worthe iijs. iiij^. ;
and again on the same folio :
one stubbe the which was broken a
littell before havinge therin ij tonnes
of tymber which we count worth vs. the
tonne and also the brushe of the same
tree iiij"'' lodes of fewell wood which we
esteme worthe viijfi. the tonne.
On f. 78 r" of the same book, we have :
one grene stubb oke.
The words ' robur ' and ' stub ' both
occur in the account of the year 29
Ed. i. mentioned under robur above.
It is clear, therefore, that the two
words had not precisely the same
meaning.
tarrera (p. 122 ; M. F. tariere), an auger.
In the inquisition held in the year 1266
printed on p. 121 above, a particular kind
150
GLOSSARY
of auger is described as a ' restnauegar.'
It will be remembered that the word
auger formerly had an initial n (see
Skeat's Etymological Dictionary), so
that ' restnauegar ' is equivalent to
' rest-auger.' Two passages similar to
the one in which the word occurs in
the above-mentioned inquisition will
be found in the Hundred Eolls (Rot.
Hund. i. 22, 26) ; but they have been
wrongly transcribed and printed. The
true readings are printed on p. 122
above.
tena (p. 78), a cap.
dicunt .... quod Reginaldus [Dingge]
uenit in quadam grangia et uoluit luctare
cum predicto Roberto, ipso Roberto in-
uito, ita quod cepit ipsum et ipsum pro-
strauit ad terrain et tenam suam de
capite suo cepit et in luto proiecit
(Coram Bege Bolls 106, Bot. 2).
teyngre (pp. 80, 81, 90, 97). The mean-
ing of this word is probably ' tawny.
It is usually represented by its first
five letters and a superior e which
may be taken to denote the letters
re ; in one case, however, it is written
in an extended form as ' teyngres '
(p. 97). Even with the aid of philo-
logical evidence, it is difficult to assign
a meaning to this word. It was seldom
used, and only of the colour of grey-
hounds. The colours of these animals
are often mentioned in the forest
rolls ; they are few in number. The
plain ones are ' faluus,' 'rubeus,'
' ruffus,' ' niger ' and ' albus.' Four
combinations of colours are also men-
tioned, namely, tecliele or techelatus,
coueire, tigrus and uerrus, examples
of the use of which are printed in this
Glossary. It is probable that ' teyngre '
was a plain colour differing slightly
both from ' rubeus ' and ' ruffus.'
These three words evidently repre-
sented different colours, for they are
all thi'ee used in the same roll (see
pp. 96, 97, 103, above). The following
passage occurs in an eyre roll of
15 Ed. i. :
cum duobus leporariis quorum unus
erat albus et alius niger taunatus iFor.
Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 76, Bot. 13.
If ' taunatus ' represents a Latin form
of ' teyngre ' its association to ' niger '
is exceptional. It should be com-
pared with ' niger coueratus,' ' rubeus
couere ' and ' faluus ruffus.' See
couere and faluus above.
tesare (pp. 5, 73), thesare (p. 77), to
worry. The word was in constant use
in the thirteenth century to describe
the worrying of deer by dogs,
tetchelatus (p. 77), ticked. The form
' techele ' is also used. Thus ;
cum quatuor leporariis quorum duo
fuerunt nigri, unus albus, et unus
techele {For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, IS'J,
Boll 5 d).
duos leporarios quorum quidam fuit
albus, et alter tetchele (For. Proc, Tr.
of Bee, 128, skin 2).
tigrus {M. F. tigre), tiger marked. This
word occurs several times in a roll of
forest inquisitions of the years 16 to 18
Ed. i. [For. Proc, Tr. of Eec, No. 128).
cum uno leporario tigro {sJci7i 2).
cum leporariis quorum unua tig' et
alter faluus (ibid.).
cepit unum leporarium tigrum
[skin 3).
It should be observed that no particular
colours are mentioned.
trencMa, or trenchea (p. 30). In the
thirteenth century this word was not
used of a ditch or furrow. It seems to
have denoted a long and narrow clearing
in a wood. Thus :
facte fuerunt due trenchee . . . uide-
licet, una de quercubus et subbosco et
altera de subbosco tantum. ... Et
fuerunt uenditores et receptores . . .
quirespondunt . . . {For. Proc, Tr. of
Bee, 76, Bot. 8).
In some letters patent dated 20 Novem-
ber 1316, we have :
concessimus . . . quod ipse quandam
trencheam quadraginta acrarum bosci
. . . facere et arbores infra prediotas
quadraginta acras bosci succindere uen-
dere et quo uoluerit cariare {Patent
Boll 145, m. 7).
Again in the Hampshire eyre rolls of
8 Ed. i. the following passage occurs :
Dominus rex precepit fieri uendici-
onem bosci in ballia M. de C, unde in
bosco de D. facte fuerunt due trenche,
uidelicet, una in longitudine et alia in
transuerso. Et altera trencbea facta
fuit in F. longitudine et extransucrso
GLOSSARY
151
(For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 161,
Boll 15).
tribulus. As to this word see bulso.
ualtrarius, ueltrarius or ueutrarius, a
fewterer, a person in charge of grey-
hounds. This word occurs in some
letters close of 4 October 1205, thus :
Mittimus tibi E. etW.de R. ualtrarios
nostros cum undecim leporariis (Bat.
Litt. Clam. i. 53 b).
A few years later the following passages
occur on the Close Eolls :
Inueni duodecim leporariis nostris,
. . . et duobus ueltrariis, qui illos
custodiunt, racionabile estuuerium
suum, et leporarios pasci faciatis de
brenio auene {Bot. Litt. Claus. i. 99, b).
Tresdecim leporarios cum duobus
ueltrariis {ibid. i. 154).
Mandamus uobis quod . . . mittatis
. . . leporarios nostros, quos babetis in
custodia sua, cum ueltrariis {ibid. i. 157).
In an inquisition post mortem of the
year 1302, we have :
per serianciam inueniendi domino
regi quando uadit in Wasconiam unum
hominem uocatum uautrier ad ducendos
tres leporarios domini regis quousque
idem uautrarius perusus fuerit uno pari
socularum precii quatuor denariorum
{hiq.jwst morte^n, 34 Ed. i. No. 37).
The king had packs of buckhounds
and harriers, which comprised running
hounds (see canes currentes) and grey-
hounds. The fewterers who were con-
cerned with these packs were styled
' buckhound fewterers ' and ' harrier
fewterers ' respectively. Thus in some
letters close dated 25 July 1312 we
have :
Cum mittamus . . . W. de B., I. L.
et E. L. cum duobus bernariis haericiis
et quatuor ueutrariis haericiis et
duobus bernariis daemericiis et duobus
ueutrariis damericiis et uiginti et
quatuor canibus haericiis et uiginti et
quatuor canibus daemericiis currentibus
et triginta leporariis ad pinguedinem
. . . capiendam {Close Boll 135, m. 31).
ualtri. These hounds are mentioned on
the Eotulus Misfe of 14 John. They
were hounds of a distinct kind and
were not the same as the ' leporarii.'
This is apparent from the following
extract from the roll :
In expensis xlj ualtrarioruni quorum
quilibet habet per diem ij dea' et
quatuor leporariorum quorum quilibet
habet per diem obolum et xv ualtrorum
et xxj canum de mota quorum quilibet
habet per diem obolum (Cole, Docu-
ments illustrative of English History,
p. 231).
In some letters patent dated 20 July
1471. a certain Nicholas Key is de-
scribed as 'ualettus ueltrorum nostro-
rum' {Pat. Boll 527, m. 18). In the
corresponding writ of Privy Seal he is
described as ' yoman of our leesh '
{Writs of Privij Seal, File 834, No.
3235).
uermes (p. 65). This word seems to have
been used of vennin. In Rotuli
Parliamentorum, ii. 79, there is a
petition in which the following pas-
sage occurs :
Et habeant chaceam suam per totam
balHuara foreste predicte ad lepores
uulpes murilegos tessones et ad omni-
modas huiusmodi uermes.
The original petition was a schedule to
another petition to which the modern
reference is Ancient Petitions, No. 7822.
It appears that when the ' ancient
petitions ' were rearranged and indexed
the schedule was detached from the
petition to which it was sewn ; and it
is now no longer to be found.
uerrus (p. 74). The meaning of this word
is very doubtful. It occurs in an
Essex inquisition as the colour of a
greyhound. It is possible that it
means streaked or brindled. But it
may well have been applied to a hound
of irregular marking in more than one
colour. It may have come through a
French form of the Latin 'uarius,' a
word which was used to describe the
colour of a horse in some letters close
of 4 December 1214 {Rot. Litt. Clans.
i. 180).
uitulus bisse, a hind calf. Man wood
applies the words ' hind calf ' to harts
and hinds of a year old. The words
' uitulus bisse ' occur in a forest
inquisition held at Farnham in
42 Ed. iii. {For. Proc., Tr. of Rec, No.
310, skin 18). In some letters patent
dated 10 May 1341 we have :
152
GLOSSARY
quendam ceruuni et uitulum unius
cerui (Patent Boll 205, m. 8).
In the thirteenth and early part of the
fourteenth century the word ' feto ' was
used to describe the young of both the
red and fallow deer (see feto). The
words ' bouiculus bisse ' occur in an
inquisition held at Lindhurst in August
1366 {For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, No. 310,
sJii7i 9). The words ' bouiculus cerui '
occur in an inquisition held at Somer-
ton on 21 February 136| {For. Proc,
Tr. ofRec, No. 309, Skin 14). (See also
p. cvii, note 2, above.)
walisca sagitta. This seems to be the
same kind of arrow as the one described
in the French tract ' La Court de
Baron ' as a ' Galesche ' or ' galoche '
{Publications of the Selden Society,
iv. 35).
Particular kinds of arrows are men-
tioned on various pages of this volume :
sex sagittas, tres barbatas ettresgen-
deratas (p. 77).
tres barbate et tres genderate (-p. 78).
tres walecthis et unum bosun (p. 79).
cum duabus sagittis waliscis (p. 80).
flecka (p. 85).
cum quadam sagitta barbilata (p. 87).
cum arcu et sagittis et una sagitta
valisca (p. 90).
duas sagittas barbatas sine fleck
(p. 94).
.arcus de if et due sagitte barbate et
tres sagitte genderese (p. 96).
tresdecim sagitte walenses (p. 96).
unus arcus cum corda et septem sa-
gitte barbate et una parua sagitta et
quinque fleck' (p. 96).
unum arcum cum corda et uiginti
sagittas walenses (p. 101).
cum arcubus et sagittis barbatis
(p. 110).
wanlassator. The meaning of this word
cannot be ascertained from the few
passages in which it is found on the
forest records. In an inquisition held
at Broekenhurst in 38 Ed. iii. we have :
Et dictus canonicus fuit ibidem cum
leporariis . . . ; et I. S. et T. le R.
fuerunt wanlassatores et ductores
leporariormn ipsius canonici {For.
Proc, Tr. of Bee, 310, skin 1).
In another inquisition held at Alton in
'45 Ed. iii. we have :
Item dicunt quod I. T. est communis
wanlassator et adiutor omnium male-
factorum uenacionis domini regis in
foresta {For. Proc, Tr. of Bee, 310,
ski7i 19).
Again, in an inquisition of the year 25
Ed. i., we have :
M. f. I. T. de T. et I. prepositus de
eadem attacbiati fuerunt . . . , eo quod
dictus I. portabat unum arcum cum
sagittis ad malefaciendum, et I. pre-
positus fuit eius wenlacour {For. Proc,
Tr. of Bee, 83, m. 3).
In the Essex forest eyre of 5 Ed. i. the
tenure of Henry fitz Aucher is thus
described :
Henricus filius Auclieri est forestarius
de feodo de dimidio hundredo de
Wautham et non reddit firmam domino
regi; set debet facere wenlac' quando
dominus rex uenit in partibas illis ad
fugandum in balliua sua {For. Proc,
Tr. of Bee, No. 12, Boll 21).
But in Testa de Nevill the description
is as follows :
Ricardus filius Auclieri tenet per
serianciam de asceindi-' coram rege
{Testa de Nevill, 276, b).
From an inquisition made in the reign
of Ed. ii. we have :
et quociescunque dominus ad uenandum
uenerit, illi customarii solebant fugare
wanlassum et stabulum in fugacione
ferarum bestiarum (Dugdale's War-
tvickshire, ii. 911).
And again :
et solebant amerciari similiter si non
uenerint ad wanlassum quociens
dominus ad uenandum venerit {ibid.
ii. 912).
cum warda facta (p. 64). In the Chartu-
lary of the abbey of Whitby printed
by the Surtees Society, we have :
Et dictus abbas . . . dedit et con-
cessit dicto priori et successoribus suis
communam pasture ... ad quinqua-
ginta uaccas, cum legali earum secta
trium annorum, ita scilicet quod pascere
possint in tota pastura ilia sine warda
facta {Surtees Society Publications,
vol. 69, p. 218).
In Miss M. Bateson's Records of the
Bcrrough of Leicester the following
passage occurs (at p. 39) :
et omncs insimul denarios qui capi
solebant de singulis peccoribus e.t aueriis
GLOSSARY
153
in defense Leycestrie pro escapura, ita
tamen quod aueria ilia uel pecora non
teneantur in defenso illo de uarda facta
uel consuetudine.
In the record of an attachment court
held in the forest of Galtres on the
27th August 1289, we have :
Uillate de Silling' in misericordia eo
quod porci sui capti f uerunt in dorainico
domiui regis cum uardo facto {For.
Proc, Tr. of Bee, 237).
The words ' cum warda facta ' appear to
mean ' with watch set,' and to refer to
cattle which were deliberately placed
in the forest and restricted from roam-
ing at large. If the owners of cattle
pasturing in the forest had been per-
mitted to watch them, they would have
appropriated for them the best pastures
of the forest to the exclusion of the
king's deer. As to this see Acts of the
Parliament of Scotland, vol. i. p. 323.
The passages quoted above should
be compared with the following extract
from Les hons usages .... cVOleron
which is printed with a translation in
the Black Book of the Admiralty
(Rolls Series, vol. ii. p. 300) :
Et non pero prez puys que il sunt
fauche ne sunt il mie pasturau com-
munau a pors ni a beste foyllant ne
encore a nule autre beste par tau
manere qe lion ifiohet pau ou pres pur
estachier la beste, quar si ele est trobee
cu prise estachee au pau, ele deit rendre
v sols de gage per guarde fete ou
amander la male faite segont la codume
dau pais avant dite.
The custom which was called ' warde-
fet ' was probably money paid for per-
mission to have beasts pasturing in the
forests with watch set. The custom is
occasionally mentioned in the Patent
and Close Rolls of the reign of Ed. iii.
with respect to the forests in the
counties of Nottingham and Derby ;
thus :
ipsum R. pro aueriis suis infra dictara
pasturara snam inuentis ad denarios
pro quadani consuetudine infra forestam
predictam que uocatur wardefet ad opus
nostrum prestandos per uarias distric-
ciones compellitis {Close Boll IGO, w.
24: d).
The same sequence of words occurs in
some letters patent of 3 November 1339
{Pat. Roll 198, m. 15 d).
At a later date, however, the custom of
' wardefet ' appears to have denoted the
driving of the forest from time to time
for the purpose of impounding cattle
which ought not to be pasturing there.
The following is the explanation of
the word ' wardefet ' as used in the
forest of Galtres in the time of
Hen. viii. :
Wardefett'. Item the seides tenauntes
haythe been accustomede to dryve and
pynde all the bounderz goodes fownding
pasturing of the king his grounde aper-
teaning to his niaiestes crowne euery
thyrde Sonday betwyxt saynt Elene-
masse and Michelmasse for the salve
garde of the king his game and all
persones that haythe right by graunte or
otherwise whiche haythe common of
pasture shall haue their catallcs de-
lyuerde withoute payng anye poncion for
the same {Chapter House Miscellaneous
Book, No. 77, fo. 10 r").
yourus, a form of the word sorus.
zorellus, a form of the word sorellus.
zourus, a form of the word sorus.
zucha {M. F. souche), the base of the
trunk of a tree with its roots.
INDEX OF MATTERS.
After -PANNAGE, right of, xxi, 67, 122, 124
ter ; misappropriation of, 47
Agisters, xxvi, xlvi, xlvii n 3 ; instance
of agistment, 59, 60
Alibi, signification of, in margin of roll,
Ixii, 22 n 3
Amercements, vexatious exaction of,
xlviii ; recorded in eyre rolls, Ix, Ixiii,
Ixxii; amounts of, Ixiii and n 3, cxxxix;
roll of, 67-69
Archbishop, privilege of, xli
Arrows —
Confiscation of, xxxix, 14, 79, 90, 95,
96 bis, 101
Lawful carrying of, 6 w 3, 64
Regard, owners entered in the, Ixxvii
Unlawful carrying or possession of,
passim
Woodwards not allowed to carry, xxv
n 1
Assart, xxiv, Ixxvii-lxxx, 125
Assize of the Forest, xi, cxxxviii
Attachment Court —
Extracts from rolls of, xxxii-xxxiii
Hundred a name for, in Essex, xxxvii
Jurisdiction of, xxx-xxxii, xxxv-xxxvi,
64
Manwood's idea of, xxvii-xxix
Ministerial work performed in, xxxiii-
xxxiv
Swanimote, a term for, xxx, xxxvi
Badgers, cxxxii
Bail, see Pledges
Bailiff, warden so called, xvii
Barons, privilege of, xli, cxxxviii, 92 n 2
Bishops, privilege of, xli, 92 n 2 ; clerical
poachers in custody of, Ixiv, Ixxxviii-
xc, xcii
Boars, x, xi and n 2, xii, xiii, xxxviii
Bows, lawful carrying of, 6 7i 3, 64 ;
unlawful carrying or possession of,
IMSsivt
Gaulish, right of, 122
Charter of the Forest —
Cited, xxvii, xxviii, xl, xlviii and n 1,
Ixxvi, 91 n 5
Date of, X
Grievances against, 125 and n, 128
Quoted, xli n 2, Ixv n 1, Ixxvi n 4, 5,
Ixxxii, Ixxxiii, xciii
Second issue of, xcvii
Text of first issue of, cxxxv-cxxxvii
Chase —
Administration of, cix-cxiv
Beasts of, cxiv-cxv
Park distinguished from, cxxii
Signification of term, cix, cxv
Cheminage, right of, xxi, cxiii, 46, 122,
124 ter; misappropriation of, xxii, 51,
128
Chief forester, warden so called, xvii
Clerks, procedure in case of, Ixiv, Ixxxvii-
xciii ; instances of privilege claimed by,
12-13, 78
Common of herbage, 25, 26, 47
Coneys, cxxix, cxxxiv
' Consuetudines et Assise Foreste,' xxxv
and n 4
Court, early use of term, xxviii and n
Court de Baron, La, cited, cxxxix
Deer, see Fallow deer. Red deer
Deer leaps, cxvii-cxviii
Defense, districts put in, xciv n
Deputy justices, xv-xvi
Disaft'orestments, xciii and n 2, xciv-
156
INDEX OF MATTEr.S
xeix, c and n 4, cv and n 3, 5, evi,
cvii, cs, 10 and n 5, 4(5 and n 2, 116
11 2, 118 n 2, 125
Dogs {see also Greyhounds), lawing of,
xxi, Ixxvi, cxiii and n 6, 46; payment
for omission of lawing, 67 ; irregular
method of lawing, 126 ; unlawful pre-
sence of, in the forest, 8, 17, 40, 56, 73,
83, 96, 99, 116
Earls, privilege of, xli, 92 n 5
Englishry, 19
Essart, sec Assart
Essoin of death, Ixvi and n 5, 12, 20, 35,
41, 56
Extortion by foresters, xxi-xxii, 44-53,
125-128
Eyre, Forest —
Amercement of townships at, Ixii-lxiii
Justices in, Ivii-lix
Nature of, in 1255, 1-lvi
Periodicity of, Ivi-lvii
Pleas of the vert, lix-lx ; of the
venison, Ix-lxvi
Presentments at, Ixi and n
Eansoming at, Ixv-lxvi
Eyre Eolls—
Charters enrolled in, Ixvii
Earliest examples of, cxxxix
Essoins recorded in, Ixvi and n 5
Files of, 1 n 4
Interrogatories answered in, Ixvili-lxix
Metes and bounds occasionally re-
corded in, cvi and n 5
Regards recorded in, Ixvi, Ixxvi-lxxvii
Piolls of Special Inquisitions, relation
to, Ixx-lxxv
Woodwards, presentations of, recorded
in, Ixvii-lxviii
Falcoxs and hawks, Ixxvii
Fallow deer, x, xii-xiii
Fence Month, xxvi, cxiii, 64 ; extortion
practised during, 126
File, series of eyre rolls so called, 1 n 4
Forest —
Assize of the, xi, cxxxviii
Charter of the, see Charter
Disafforestment of, see Disafforest-
ments
Divisions of, north and south of Trent,
xiv ; four counties in one warden-
ship between the bridges of Stamford
and Oxford, xvii ; counties which
contained no, cvii-cviii
Forest —
Justices of the, see Justices
Signification of term, ix, xciii
Foresters —
Duties of, xx-xxii, xxxi, xxxiii, xxxiv,
xl
Eolls of, xli
Salaries not paid by the Crown to,
xxi, cxxxviii
Foresters in fee, duties and position of,
xxiii and n 2, xxiv and n 1, xxxvi,
cxxxix, 46
Forges, Ixxvii, Ixxxvi
Foxes, X, xi, xiii, cxiv, cxxvii, cxxix, cxxxii
Greyhounds —
Assise of Woodstock, provisions of,
regarding, xii n 2
Confiscation of, xxxix, 14, 15, 75, 77,
79-81, 87, 104
Regard, owners recorded in, Ixxvii,
Ixxxiv
Seizure of greyhounds for trespasses in
warrens, cxxiv, cxxxiv
Unlawful coursing with, 16 ; unlawful
presence of, in the forest, 5, 8, 12, 14,
15 ter, 19, 31, 34, 35, 40, 47, 55, 70
bis, 71, 75-81, 86, 87, 89, 90, 96, 97,
99 quater, 104, 110, 113
Hares, x-xiii, xxxviii, cxxvii, cxxviii,
cxxxii, cxxxiv
Hawks and falcons, Ixxvii
Honey in the forest, Ixxvii, 68
Houses, order for demolition of, 18
Hundred, Forest, attachment court so
called in Essex, xxxvii
Imprisonment —
Clerks, procedure regarding, xc, xcii ;
instance of clerks' removal from,
12-13
Death during, proof of, see Essoin
Escape from, 5, 12, 17
Process, as, xxxix n 4, Ixiv, Ixv, xc
Punishment, as: (for a year and a day),
xl, Ixv n 1, cxix-cxx ; (for three
years), cxxi-cxxii
Release from, on bail, xv, xxxiii, xxxix
n 4, xl, Ixvi ; illegal release from,
Ixiii ; delivery by royal writ, 32
Water in the prisons, 50, 52
Inquest of townships, see Inquisition,
Special
INDEX OF MATTERS
l-W
Inquisitions, General —
Examples of, xlix-1
Inquisition before Sir Arnold de Bois
resembling, Ixxiv
List of, xlvii
Nature of, xliv-xlv
Statute regarding, xlv-xlvi
Swanimote a term for, xlv, xlvi ; not
equivalent to Swanimote of the
Forest Charter, xlviii
Inquisitions, Special —
Enrolment of, xli-xlii, Ixi
Eyre Rolls' relation to Rolls of, Ixx-
Ixxv
Functions and procedure of, xii, xxx
11 5, xxxvii-xl, xlii-xliv
Huntingdon Roll quoted, xli n 6
Term never in official use, xxxvii
Juries, Ixi, Ixxiv, 110 ii 1
Justice Seat, xxvii n 3
Justices of the Forest —
Appointments of, in chronological
order —
John Marshall, xciv n 5
Hugh de Neville, xcvii 71 1, 3
Brian de I'lsle, xiv n 5
John of Monmouth, xiv n 5
Robert of Ros, xiv n 5
John Biset, xiv n 5
Reynold de Moyon, 73 n 1
Gilbert of Seagrave, 74 n 2
Geoffrey of Langley, 22 n 2
Reynold de Moyon, 87 71 2
Arnold de Bois, 15 n 3
Thomas of Greasley, 56 71 4
Alan la Zouche, 57 % 4
Roger of Clifford, Iviii n
Roger of Clifford the younger, 123
n 8
William de Vescy, 66 n 4
Ralph de Neville, Iviii
Foxley, John of, xlix n 3
Chief wardens, a title applied to, xv,
cxxxviii
Duties and position of. xiv-xvi mid n,
Ivii-lix
Salaries of, xvi
Woodwards presented before, Ixvii
Larks, cxxix, cxxx n ]
Lieutenants of the forest, xv, xviii
Limekilns, woods wasted for, 44
Mandatum, preceptum distinguished
from, 14 » 7
Martins, x, cxiv
Metes and bounds of Surrey and Rutland,
cvi n 5; full text of, 53, 61
Mines, Ixxvii, Ixxxvi
Millstones, toll on, 67
Nets, see Snares
Oaks, see under Vert
Ordinance of Sir William de Vescy,
xxxi-xxxii, 62^64
Outlawry, xl, Ixiv, xciii, cxxi ; instances
of, 18, 19, 22, 23, 80, 32, 36 bis, 56, 57
his, 58, 66
Pannage, 59-60, 70
Pardon, Ixvi ; instances of, 12, 29, 30, 58,
66, 70
Parks —
Chases distinguished from, cxxii
Licences for, cxvi and n 2
Signification of term, cxv-cxvi n 1
Trespasses in, cxix-cxxii, cxxxix
Partridges, cxxxix n 2, cxxxiv
Pasturage, rights of, in forests, xxvi
Perambulations —
Derby, xcv
Dorset, xcv
Hampshire, ciii
Huntingdonshire, xcv, xcviii n 3
Leicester, xcviii n 3
Nottinghamshire, xcv, xcviii n 3, 116
n 2 ; full text of, 118-119
Rutland, xciv-xcv, xcviii 71 3, 116 n 2 ;
full text of, 116-117
Somersetshire, xcv, ciii, 125 n 2
Surrey, xcviii h 3, 116 re 2 ; full text of,
116-117
Sussex, xcviii n 3, cviii
Warwickshire, 116 re 2 ; full text of,
119-121
Pheasants, cxxix
Pledges, selection of, xxxiii, Ixvi re 2 ;
selected in attachment courts, xxxv ;
instance of finding of, xxxviii-xxxix ;
necessary for release from prison
before the eyre, xv, xxxiii, xxxix re 4,
xl, Ixvi ; cases where trespasser not
produced by, Ix, Ixiii, Ixxii ; amerced
in case of trespasser's death unless
death proved by essoiner, Ixvi ; refused
by clergy, xci
U
158
INDEX OF MATTERS
Pigs, agistment of, xxvi, 59-60
Plovers, cxxix
Poverty, leniency accorded to, Ixvi and
n 1, 58, 66
Preceptum, mandatum distinguished from,
14 n 7
Presentments, enrolment of, Ixi n 1
Prisons, see Imprisonment
Provisions of Oxford, Ivi
Purprestures, see under Regard
Quails, cxxx n 1
Eageman, Statute of, cxxi
Kangers, xxv-xxvi and n
Ransom, xl, Ixv and n 2, Ixvi and n 2
Red deer, x, xii-^xiii, cxxix
Regard, the —
Chapters of, Ixxvi-lxxix
Corn, winter and spring, Ixxvii n
Description of, Ixxv-vi
Eyre Rolls, recorded on, Ixvi
Falcons and hawks, Ixxvii
Forges, Ixxvii, Ixxxvi
Greyhounds, Ixxvii, Ixxxiv
Honey, Ixxvii
Mines, Ixxvii, Ixxxvi
Number of regarders fixed, 64
Purprestures, xxiv, Ixxvii-lxxviii,
Ixxx-lxxxiii, 125
Salaries not paid to regarders, Ixxxvii
Stumps, Ixxxv-lxxxvi
Timber, export of, Ixxvii
Viewers a term for regarders, Ixxv n 4
Wastes, xxiv, Ixxvii-lxxviii, Ixxxiii-
Ixxxiv, 125
Wheat, rye, barley and oats, Ixx
Roes, x-xiv and w 2, 3, 4, cxiv, cxxviii,
cxxx
Serjeants, 118 and n 5
Sir, title of, 22 n 1
Snares, traps and nets, cxxvi, 29, 32, 56,
83, 84 bis, 90, 91, 94, 95, 113, 114
Squirrels, cxxxii
Steward, wardens and others ?o called,
xvii-xviii
Stumps, Ixxxv-lxxxvi, 48
Swanimotes —
Attachment Courts so called, xxx,
xxxvi, xxxvii and n 1, xlix n 8
Charter's provision regarding, xxvii-
xxviii, xlvi, xlviii, 127
Chases, with courts called, cxiv
Swanimotes —
Etymology and first use of, xxvii n 2
General Inquisition so called, xlv, xlvi
and n 1
Manwood's idea of, xxvii-xxx
Vagueness of term, xxix-xxx
Taxation, employment of term in certain
cases, xc, xcii
Thorns, small, distinction of, xxxvi n 1
Timber, see under Vert
Torturing, instance of, 20
Townships. {See also Inquisitions,
Special) —
Full attendance, single instance of,
xliii n 1
Insufficient attendance of, xlii, xliii and
n 5, xliv and n 1 , Ixii, Ixxii ; instances
of, passwi
Seizure of, into the king's hand, 4 his
Traps, see Snares
Trees, see Vert
Trespasses against vert, small and great,
different marks of distinction between,
xxxi
Venison, application of term, xii n
Verderers —
Amercements of, for not producing
rolls, 168-9
Appointment, mode of, xix and n 3
Certification by, Ixii n 1
Chases, having, cxiv
' Domini,' title applied to, Ixv n 3
First mention of, in charters, xix n 2
Functions of, xix-xx, xxxi, xxxv, xxxix,
xl, 62-3
Imprisonment of, recorded in North-
ampton eyre, Ixi
Privileges of, xx, xxiv n 1, cxxxviii
Rolls kept by, xli ; enrolments by, to
be only presentments of foresters,
Ixi n 1, 22
Salaries not paid to, xix
Vert-
Oaks, trespasses against, xxxiii, xxxiv
and n 1, 63 ; instances of trespass,
45, 67, 68 ter ; unlawful sale of, 21 ;
right of bark and crops from, xxi, 67
Ordinance of Sir W. de Vescy regard-
ing, 63
Pleas of (extracts from eyre rolls), lix-
Ix
INDEX OF MATTERS
1.39
Vert-
Timber, profits from dead and dry
wood, xxi, 46, 122, 124 bis ; felling
of, unlawfully, xxii ; export of,
Ixxvii ; unlawful sale of, 25 ; mis-
appropriation of, 44 ; amercement
for, 68
Trespasses, general procedure regard-
ing, xxxi-xxxii, xxxiv-xxxvi ; amerce-
ments for trespasses appraised at
more than fourpence, 67-68
Violence offered by poachers, 28, 80, 99,
102
Wardens —
Foresters appointed by, xxi
Foresters in fee, relation to, xxiv
Functions of, xvi-xix, xxi
Justices of the Forest termed Chief,
XV, cxxxviii
King's claims resisted by, xxxiv
Wardens —
Swanimotes summoned by, in John's
reign, xlviii
Woodwards provisionally presented
before, Ixvii
Warrens —
Beasts of, cxxviii-cxxxii
Complaints regarding, cxxxii-cxxxiii
Forfeiture of, cxxv
Fowls of, cxxxii
Eoyal rights regarding, cxxxiii
Signification of term, cxxiii
Trespassing in, cxxiii, cxxv-cxxvii
cxxxi, cxxxiv, cxxxix, 40 and n 6
119-121
Wastes, see under Eegard
Westminster, Statutes of, cxx
Windfalls, 60, 122
Wolves, X, xiii, cxxxii
Wood, see Vert
Woodstock, Assize of, cited, Ixxxvii
Woodwards, xxiv-xxv, xlv, Ixvii
V 2
INDEX OF PEESONS.
Aaron, John, see Geddington
de Abbetot, Alexander, 121
Abbot, Simon, 85
Acle, see Oakley
Acton, Keyner of, 9
Acwellesike,Eobert Page the keeper of, 102
de Aete, William, cxxiv
Aflet, Koger, see Apethorp
Aguylun, Eobert, cxxiv
d'Airvault, de Orival, Peter, 93
Album Monasterium, see Oswestry
Albury, Alan the parson of —
John, his brother, 58
Eanulph, his nephew, 58
Alcester, the abbot of, Ixxxiii, 120
Alconbury —
Austin Palmer of, lix
Elias le Lord of, 24
Elias Selegh of, 24 bis
John Canun of, 20, 24
John the reeve of, 20
John the son of Nicholas of, 24 bis
Philip of, 23, 24, 75
Philip the reeve of, 20
Eoger the son of Philip of, 23, 24, 75
William of, 24, 25
William Secrestein of, 24
William the son of Eobert of, 24
William the son of the smith of, 24
Aldborough, Eichard of, 65
Aldbourne, Eichard of, 56
Aldeham, John of, Ixvi, 57 bis
Aldit, Eoger, 24
Aldwinkle —
Sir Eichard of, 28, 37, 82, 90, 95, 100,
101, 105, 114, 115
Eobert of, 113
Sir Eoger, the rector of St. Peter's, 88
Alebaster, Eichard, xciv
Aleyn, Simon, Ixxxii
Alfricheseye, see Arlesey
Allexton, Athelakeston —
Hasculf of, 45
Hasculf the son of Peter of, 46
Peter the son of Hasculf of, 45
de Amblye —
Geoffrey, 73
William the brother of Geoffrey, 73
Annesley, John of, 61
Apecroft, William of, 56
Apethorp, Abpthrop—
Gilbert the son of Adam of, 37
John Eimnold of, 37
Eichard Leffet of, 37
Bichard the son of the reeve of, 37
Eobert of Weedon of, 38
Eoger Aflet of, 37
Ardern, Eobert of, 100, 102
Ardington, Thomas of, 8
Arlesey, Alfricheseye —
Brother Gervais of, 16
Arnigworth', see Arthingworth
Arnold, William, see Walkley
Arnwy, Eichard, 72
Arthingworth, Arnigworth', John the
parson of. 111
Arundel, Guy of, 9
Ash, Fraxinus —
William of, 7
Ashby, William of, 19, 20
Ashingdon, Peter the parson of, 73
Thomas, his brother, 73
Ashwell, Eoger Eussell of, 33, 96
Aslackby, Eichard of, 31, 87
Athelakeston, see Allexton
Attedone, see atte Down
Attehegge, see atte Hedge
Attehoke, see atte Hook
162
INDEX OF PERSONS
Attello, Thomas, see WooUey
Atteslow, see atte Slough
d'Aubigny, William, xciv
Aubyn, Eichard, 129
d'Aumale, the count, 93
Aumbesas, William, 117
Bacon, Robert, see Easton
de Bacquepuis, de Bakepus, Ralph, cxxiv
Baggot, John, 10
Bakun, Thomas, see Landbeach
Baldwin, Robert, 120
Ballard, Johu; see St. Ives
Balun, John, 97, 108
de Barentin, Geoffrey, 71
Baret —
Angod, 56
Walter, see Carlton
Barford —
Hugh of, 2
Roger of, 38
Barking —
Solomon the son of Ralph of, 70
Ernulph of Tyheye of, 70
Barley, Hugh of, 19
Barling, Reynold the son of Baldwin of, 72
Barnack —
Gilbert of, Ixxxviii
William of Burgh the parson of,
Ixxxviii, xc, xcii, 112
Barnsley, Berdeley, William of, Ixxxi
de la Barre, Peter, see Wellow
Barton, William the son of Simon of, 2
Baschurch, Walter of, 10
Basemund, William, 54
de Baseville —
Gilbert, 55
Richard the son of William, sceKetton
Baskerville, Walter, cxxxii
Basset —
Alan, xciv
Alan the son of Alan, 56
John, 1, 117
Ralph, see Slipton
Sir Ralph, see Weldon
Richard, 31
Sir Robert, Ixviii, 28, 34 his, 81, 82, 85,
96 6is,99 his, 105, 106, 108, 113, 114
Walter, 37
William, see LufiQngham
Bassingbourn —
Sir Nicholas of, 32, 100, 101
Warin of, xviii, 32, 40
Bassingbourn —
William the spenser of Sir Nicholas of,
32, 100, 101 his
William the son of Warin of, 40
Bateman, Nicholas, see Boteby
Bath, bishop of, Ixvii
le Baude, Master Robert, 25
de Beauchamp, de Bello Campo —
Walter, 120
William, 72
William, earl of Warwick, Ixxix, Ixxxiv,
cxxx
de Beaufay, de Bella fago —
Ralph, 117
Robert, 117
Beckbury —
Hugh of, 8
Thomas, his brother, 8
Bekwell, Robert of, 117
Beljambe, Ralph, 55
Bellasis, Belayys, W^illiam, xci
de Bella fago, see de Beaufay
de Bello Campo, see de Beauchamp
Benefield^
Bennet, the cobbler of, 32, 101
Geoffrey Meagre of, 32, 101
Henry Kyte of, 32, 101
Henry the smith of, 32, 101
Hugh the son of Maud of, 32, 101
Jordan of Upthorp of, 32, 101
Robert the son of Inge of, 32, 101
Robert Kidenoc of, 32, 101
Robert Mayden of, 32, 101
Robert the son of Roger of, 32, 101
Walter the son of Alan of, 32, 101
William the servant of the parson of,
100
William the son of Henry of, 30, 84, 85
William the son of the reeve of, 32, 101
Bere, le Bere, John, 23, 24
Berich, William, 25
de Berners, Richard, see Moulton
Berwick, John of, civ note, 117
de Beumes, Geoffrey, 76
Bevercoates, William of, 61
de Beyville —
Thomas, 26
Reynold, the servant of Thomas, 26
Bibsworth, WiUiam, 130
Billing, Robert the son of Alexander of,
40
Bilhngton, William Heest of, 25
Binton, Bynthon, Maurice of, Ixxxiii
Biset, John, xiv note 1, xv note
INDEX OF PERSONS
163
Bissop, William, 20
Blackburn, Blakeburn, William of, 61
Blakemore, William of, Ixviii
Blidworth, Blitheworth —
Hugh atte Bridge of, 68
Eichaid the son of Geoffrey the son of
Ives of, 68
Walter le Norreys of, 68
Blisworth —
Henry the son of the parson of, 39, 40
Thomas the son of the chaplain of, 39,
40
Blund, le Blund^
Geoffrey, the man of Eoger, 4
John, see Edmonton
Eoger, see Woolley
William, see Burstead
Boarstall, John of, Ixxxii
Bodiham, William Wardeu the vicar of,
xlix
de Bois, de Bosco —
Agnes, 71, 72
Sir Arnold, Iviii, Ixviii, Ixxiii-lxxiv fer,
15, 35, 37, 108, 111 6is, 112
Isabel, Ixxx
Eoger, 72
Thomas, Ixvi, 54
Bolby, Henry, 131
Bolle, William, 37, 38, 116
de BoUeville, William, 15
Bolman, Lawrence, spenser of the vicar
of Geddington, 37, 38
Bonde, Eobert the son of Agnes, see
Edwinstowe
Bonham, William of, 43
Bordsley, the abbot of, 121
Borhard, Thomas, 81
Boteby, Nicholas Bateman of, 68
le Boteiler, William, 72
de Bottereaux, William, 120
Boughton, Boketon —
John of, 40
Walter of, 40
William the son of Eobert of, 40
Boughton, Bouton' —
Peter the son of William of, 110
Eichard Burel of, 110
Eoger the son of Alice of, 110
Eoger the son of William of, 38
Simon the clerk of, 38
Boyland, John of, 120
Boyville, Boyuille, Henry, xlix
de Boville, William, knight, 73
le Brabancon, Eoger, civ note, 116, 117
Brampton —
Alan King of, lix
Albin Loom of, lix
Hugelin de Neville of, the lady, 90
John the clerk of, 20
Ealph Eesun of, 20
Thomas the son of Simon of Naseby of,
103
Braunston, John of, 117
Braunston, Brampteston, William of, 37
Bray, John of, see Pilton
de Brayboef —
Geoffrey, Ixvi, 57
Thomas, 55, 57
Brerlee, John, xlix
le Breton —
Peter, see Cottinghara
William, 1, li bis, liii ter, liv bis, Iv ter,
Ivi bis, Iviii qtiatcr, Ixiv, Ixvii, Ixix,
11, 27, 41, 46, 47
Brewer, Briwer', William, xcvi
Brewosa, see Briouze
atte Bridge —
Alexander, 70
Goscelin, see Woodford
Hugh, see Blidworth
Nicholas, see Woodford
Ealph, see Geddington
Thomas, see Woodford
Bridport, Brudeport, John of, Ixxxviii
Brigstock —
Geoffrey Catel of, 35, 106, 111
Gerald the son of Eobert of Sudborough
of, 35, 107
Henry the reeve of, 83, 84, 91, 109
Henry the son of Guy of, 86, 91
Henry the son of Hugh of, 35
Henry the son of Eichard of, 35
Henry Tuke of, 29, 38, 83
Hugh the son of William of, 35
Hugh Swartgar the reaper of, 29, 83
John the son of Ingram of, 35
Maurice de Solers of, 95
Ealph of, 107
Eichard atte Pond of, 35
Eoger of Lane of, 38
William the forester of, 83
de Briouze, de Brewosa, William, cix
note
Bristol, abbot of St. Augustine's, Ixvii
de la Brok', Eobert, Ixxxii
Bromfield, Eobert of, 10
Bromwich, Eichard of, 8
Brompton, Brumpton, William of, 130
164
INDEX OF TEIISONS
Brond, William, 15, 16
Broughton, Ralph of, 20
de la Bruere, William, 104
le Brun —
John, see Hanningfield
William, see Cosgrove
de Brus, the lady Isabel, 74
Buck, Walter, see Ellington
Buckden —
Henry the son of Peter le Noble of,
22
Roger the son of Emma of, lix
Buckworth, Henry of, 25
Burdon, John, 118
Burel, Richard, see Boughton
Burgh —
Hubert of, xcv, xcvi, xcvii
William of, see Barnack
Burghill, Henry of, Iviii note, 42
Burnesforde, Thomas of, Ixxxii
Burstead, William le Blund of, 73
Burstow, John of, 117
Bustelleys, Ralph of, see Woolley
Byning, John, 57
Byron, John, 118
Ca, Restwald, 5
Cade, John, Ixxxii
de Caen, de Cadamo, Robert, 129
Calwendon, William of, 36
Cambridge, Laurence Seman of, 151
de Camville, Gerard, 121
de Cantilupo, see de Chanteloup
Canun, John, see Alconbury
Caperun —
John see Siberton
John the son of John, see Siberton
Roger, 37, 38, 116
Cardun —
John, 104
William, 15, 16, 25
WilHam the son of William, 15, 16
Careman, Roger, Ixxxiii
Carlby—
Colin of, see Glapthorn
Nicholas of, see Glapthorn
Carlisle, bishop of. Sir Silvester, 92, 93
Carlton —
EHas of, 1
Geoffrey Wythoud of, 103
Walter Baret of, 103
the carter, Richard, Ixxxii
Casterton, Robert of, 117
Castor —
Robert of, 117
William of, 46
Catel, Geoffrey, see Brigstock
Catherine —
Robert, 129
Stephen, 129
Catworth —
Richard of, 24
William of, 24, 78
William the son of Ralph of, 16 bis
Caxton, Jeremiah of —
Gervais of Dene, his cook, xlii note, 17,
75, 77
Osbert, his marshall, xlii, 17, 75
Cerne, Henry of, xcvii note
Chaddesley, Robert le Provost of, Ixxx
Chakedon, William of, 54
Chalcombe —
Ralph the son of Hugh of, 2
William of, 3
of the chamber, William, sec Weldon
Champeneys, William, 113 bis, 129
Champiun, Henry, 129
de Chanteloup, de Cantilupo —
Sir William, 92, 93
the charcoal burner, William, see Ged-
dington
Chester, the earl of, 9
le Cheualer, see the Knight
Chigwell —
Brian the son of Osbert of, 70
John the son of Roger the woodward
of, 70
Nicholas the son of Osbert of, 70
Eudes the fisher of, 70
Roger of Hach of, 70
Roger the woodward of, 70
Simon the son of Conis of, 70, 71
Child, Richard, 71, 72 ter
Childerley, Henry the son of Henry of, 129
Childwick, Geoffrey of, 14, 20
Chiselden, Anne, xxxv note
Churchfield, Kirkefeld.Chirchefeld, Henry
of, 87, 108
Cideran, William, see Lyveden
Cirencester, William the clerk of the
abbot of, 83
Clanfield, Walter of, Ixvii note, Ixviii
Clare-
Gilbert of, xviij
Sir Richard of, earl of Gloucester,
13, 34, 78, 98
Richard, his cook, 13, 78
INDEX OF PERSONS
165
Clare, Sir Bichard of —
Walter the clerk of his chamber, 13,
78
William his marshal, 13, 78
Cleasby, Hasculph of, 118
Cleeve, Henry of, 120
Clement V., pope, cv
Clifard—
Simon, see Stilton
William, 37
William, see Lyveden
Cliflfe—
Finch of, xcii note
Thomas Inkel forester of, 3
Clifford-
Isabel of, cxvii, cxviii
Sir Robert of, 118
Eoger of, 1 note, Ivii, Iviii, lix, Ixviii,
Ixix, exxiv, cxxxiii note, 38, 43, 54
Roger of, the younger, Iviii note, lix, 123
Clifton—
Gervaise of, 118
Wilcock the servant of the parson of,
118
Clipstone, Henry the son of Richard of,
29, 61, 83
the cobbler, Benedict, see Benefield
Cobham, Henry of, 120
Codigan, the servant of the sheriff of
Salop, 8
Codwellan, 8
Colchester, Bateman Prelle of, 73
de Colleville —
Sir Henry, Ixiii note, 12, 78
Peter, see Stoke
Philip, 129
Richard, see Stoke
William, cxxviii
Colston, Robert of, xciv
de Colombi^res, Mathew, Ivii, ci, cii, ciii,
38, 42, 43, 54
Colwick, William of, 61, 118
Col worth, the parson of, 20
Combreiton, Friar Ranulph of, 60
Coningeston, Richard of, 61
the constable —
Mathew, 8
Richard, 57
Walerand the brother of Mathew, 8
the cook, Gervais, see Caxton
Cooksey, Kocesey, Walter of, Ixxxiv
Coppingford, Copmaneford^
John of, 19
Simon of, 11, 14, 22, 79
Corbet-
Peter, xiii
Robert, 9
Robert the son of Robert, 8, 9
Robert the hunter of Robert, 8, 9
William, Ixxx
Corby —
Geoffrey Gos of, 33, 96
Godwin atte Hallgate of, 80
Godwin the son of William of, 109
Norman the son of the reeve of, 80
Robert of, 33, 34, 96
Robert the son of Godfrey le Dene of
33, 34, 96
Cornet, Agnes, 30, 84
Cornwall —
earl of, see Edmund and Richard
Richard of, ex
William of, 19
Corringham, John of, 73
Cosgrove, Couesgraue —
William of, 37
William le Brun of, 37
de Costentin, Thomas, 10
Cotes —
Alan le Gaunter of, 40
Eustace of, 131
Gosse, the fellow of Eustace of, 131
Richard of, 110
Cottingham —
Peter le Breton of, 31
William Curlewald of, 31
Couesgraue, see Cosgrove
Crakehall, Crachele, Crackale —
Gervais the man of John of, 12, 13,
77, 78
John of, xci, 12, 13, 78
Cranford, Ralph of, 107
Cransley, Hugh, 100
Crawstock, Gilbert of, 57 bis
Creeping, Richard of, 61
Cressingham, Hugh of, cxxiv
de Criel, de Kyryel, Nicholas, 91
Crikes, John, see Woodham
Crouchback, Edmund, see Edmund
Crookdake, Crokedayk', Adam of, 118
Croxley, Crokesle, John of, civ Twte,
117
Crowland, Richard the abbot of, 131
Croydon, Thomas of, xxv note
Croyle, Mathew, 29, 84
Crumlegh, Adam of, 2
Curlewald, William, see Cottingham
Cartels, William. Ixvii note, Ixviii
166
INDEX OF PERSONS
Cut-
Alan, 100, 102
John the son of Stephen, see Slipton
Dachet, William, 41
Daneye, see Denney
Daundelay —
Maurice, 4
Sir Maurice, xc, 36, 100, 104, 105, 107
Simon, the woodward of Sir Maurice,
36, 112
David, earl, 5
Dawney, de Alneto, Henry, 4, 6
Daybond, William, Ixxxiii
Debenham, Depenham, Dupinham —
John of, see Woodstone
Michael of, see Woodstone
Deene —
Sir Henry of, 100
Jocelin of, see Sudborough
Dene, Gervais of, see Caxton
le Dene, Eobert the son of Godfrey, sea
Corby
Denford, Roger Lubbe of, 97 qiiater
Denney, Daneye, the Templars of, 130
Denning, Leon, 131
[Deone], William, Ixviii
Derby, earl of, see de Ferri^re
Dering, William, 20
le Despenser —
Hugh, 120
Roger, 22
Destreis, Emerald, 5
Dewyas, William, see Ewyas
Diddington, Thomas the son of Walter
of, lix
Dillington —
Richard atte Mill of, lix
Richard Truke of, lix
Dingley, Thomas of, 103
Discy, Ralph, see Folksworth
Dobes, William, Ixxx
Dodlesdon, Peter of, Ixvi, 58
le Dol, Robert, 117
Dolfyn, Henry the son of William, see
Sudborough
Dolyng, Henry, xxv note
Dorchester, Walter of, 57
atte Down, Attedone—
John, Ixvi, 56
John the son of Henry, 55
Stephen, 57
Draycott, John of, 42
Drayton —
Sir Henry of, 38, 39, 85
Ralph of, 38
WiUiam of, 97 bis, 102
William the son of Henry of, 30, 85
Duke, Geoffrey, see Upthorp
Dukehare, Richard, 72
Dun-
Gilbert, 70
Robert the servant of Gilbert, 70
Dunolm', see Durham
Dunstall, Gilbert of, Ixxxviii
Dunston, Donestan, Gilbert of, xcii
Dunton, Walter of Sussex of, 73
Durant, Duraunt, John, Ixviii
Durham, Dunolm', William of, 61
Eastlegh, Wilkin of, 9
Easton —
Robert Bacon, the parson of, Ixi, 35
Walter of, 24
Eastwood, James of, 73
Eboracum, see York
Edelmeton, see Edmonton
Edmonton, Edelmeton, John le Blund of,
70
Edmund, commonly called Crouchback,
earl of Cornwall, cviii, ex, cxi, cxii
Edward, Sir, the king's son, afterwards
Edward I., 104
Edwinstowe —
Ralph the son of Reynold of, 67
Richard atte Townsend of, 62
Robert the son of Agnes Sonde of, 62
Ellington —
Ralph of, see Woolley
Robert of, Ix
Walter Buck of, 15
Walter the reeve of, Ix
William of, 76
Ely—
the bishop elect of, 17
the prior of, 17
Empingham —
Geoffrey the son of Sara of, 51
Ralph of, 117
Engayne, de Engayne—
Sir Henry, 76
Richard, 4
Erburg, see Harbury
le Escot, see le Scot
r Estrange —
Hugh, 10
INDEX OF PERSONS
16^
TEstrange —
John, see Middleton
Koger, xvi note, 129
d'Esturmi, de Sturmy, Henry, Ixxxi
Everingham —
Adam of, 62
Eobillard the page of Adam of, 62
Eobert of, xvii, xxi, xxiii, 61, 66, 67
Evesham —
the abbot of, Ixxxii, 120, 121
the sacristan of, Ixxxiv
Ewyas, Richard of, 38, 39 bis
of the exchequer, William, 33
Exchire, Richard, 60
Fadie, Gilbert, 68
Farchild, Fairchild —
Alan, see Guildford
the heirs of Alan, 60
Farding, Geoffrey Red of, 5
Farnborough, William atte Town of, 55
Farnham, John of, 117
Faunel, John, Ixxxviii
le Fekere, Hugh, 17
Fenton, Ralph of, xli note, xlii note, 17,
75,76
Fermbaud, Nicholas, 120 1
Fernlaw, Philip of, 10
de Ferri^res —
the earl, 105
Robert, earl of Derby, cxi, 40
Roger, 104
the parker of Sir William, 72
Sir William, earl of Derby, 92, 104,
105
de Feugeres —
Robert, 32, 33, 100
Roger, 8
Sir Stephen, 104
the fisher —
Eudes, see Chigwell
Henry the son of Gervais, see Islip
Walter the son of Gervais, see Islip
William, 61
fitz Alan, WiUiam, 10
fitz Geoffrey, John, xvi
fitz Herbert, Peter, cxxviii
fitz Nigel, John, 129
fitz Peter, Geoffrey, 6
Flambard, Hugh, 61
the Fleming, le Flemeng —
Henry, 40
Stephen, see Nottingham
Flet, Roger, 131
Floore, Flores, William of, see Irchester
Flores, see Floore
Fodringhe, see Fotheringhay
Folksworth —
Henry of, 25
John of, 113
Ralph Discy of, 25
Foot, Stephen, 24, 75
Ford, Robert of, 54
Foresthill, William of, 28
the forester —
Alan, 56
Hugh, see Rutland
Jordan, see Windsor
Russell the man of Benedict, 37
Samuel see Rutland
Fortho, see Furtho
Fotheringhay, Fodringhe, Roger of, Ixii
note
Foxley, John of, xlix
Framlingham, William of, 17
Franceis, le Franceys—
Alan, 130
Henry, 24
Peter, see Woolley
Roger, 38
Roger, see Newton
Frankeleyn, Laurence, see Weldon
Fransham, John of, xviii, xix
Fraxinus, see Ash
Freeman, the Freeman —
Andrew, see Little Billing
John, see Stilton
Robert, see Overstone
Robert, see Walton
Thomas, 129
Walter, see Geddington
William, see Newton
Fremelesworth, Andrew of, Ixvi, 55, 57
de Freney, Robert, 111
Frogmore, Peter of, 103
Fulk—
Colin the son of William the son of
Fulk, see Geddington
Thomas the son of Roger the son of,
see Geddington
William the son of, see Geddington
Furtho, Fortho, Walter of, 128
Gamelyn, Richard, see Sibthorpe
Garkem . . ., John of, 56
le Garskeyn, John, 58
168
INDEX OF PERSONS
Garston, John of, 58
le Gaunter, Alan, see Cotes
Geddington —
Colin, of, 37, 106, 107, 116
Colin the son of William the son of
Fulk of, 109, 116 bis
Hugh Kydelomb of, 37, 115 bis, 116 bis
John Aaron of, 33
Nicholas the son of William of, 36
Kalph atte Bridge of, 33, 110
Ealph the vicar of, 37, 38, 116
Richard of Horton of, 37, 88, 109, 115
quater, 116, 117
Robert the baker of, 110
Robert the son of Robert of, 115
Roger the clerk of, 115 bis
Simon the son of Roger of, Ixxiv note,
36, 109, 110
Thomas the son of Roger of, 37
Thomas the son of Roger the son of
Fulk of, 82, 115 bis
Walter Freeman of, 110
William of, 37
William the charcoal burner of, 33
William the son of Fulk of, 116
William Wick of, 110
Gelee, Richard, sec Newton
Genitas, Richard, 19
Gerard, Henry, 49
Gerewold, Richard, 2
Germany, the king of, see Richard
Gernun, William, cxxxii
Gerveys, Gerueys, John, Ixxxii
Gidding, Richard of, 25
Giffard, Ralph, 129
Gilbewin, master Geoffrey, steward of the
abbot of Peterborough, 2
Gilling, Gilbert, 68
le Gilur, Roger, 74
Ginges, see Ing
Glap thorn —
Colin of Carlby of, 33, 100, 102
Nicholas of Carlby of, 101
Glatton, Roger the parson of, 77
Gloucester, earl of, see Clare
Gobyon —
Hugh the son of Hugh, 41
John, 123
Godard, Richard, see Thoresby
Godcup, Clement, 71, 72
Godmanstone —
Henry of, 55, 57
William of, 43
Gody, Richard, 24
Goldingham, Sir Hugh of, lxviiino<<', Ixxiv,
11, 14, 17, 82, 95, 96, 97, 100, 101,
37, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 118, 115
Robert, his clerk, 37
Walter, his son, 82
William, his son, 37
Gos, GeofiFrey, see Corby
Grafham —
John Russell of, 25
Richard of, 11
Robert the son of Viel of, Ix
Simon of, 19
William of, 11, 78
Grafton —
Hugh the son of the parson of, 116
Peter, the son of Hugh of, 33
Richard the son of Henry of, 33
Robert of, 30, 38, 39, 84, 85
Simon, the clerk of, 110
Thomas of, 85
Grantesteyde, John of, 129
le Graunger, Stephen, the page of William
Chapeneys, 113
Greasley, Gredlegh', Thomas of, 56
Great Billing, Andrew of, 40
Great Oakley, Acle —
Geoffrey the son of Nicholas, 81
Roger the son of Robert, 81
Grenleng, Robert, 40
Gretenock, Richard of, 120
Grey, William, see Needingworth
de Grey, de Gray-
Reynold, 41
Sir Walter, 31, 87
John, cxxxi
John, the page of Sir Walter, 31, 87
William, the clerk of Sir Walter, 31, 87
Griffin, Richard, see Weston
Grim, Roger, reaper of the abbot of Peter-
borough, 1
Grimbald, William, 5
Grossetete, Robert, bishop of Lincoln,
xcii note, 14 twte
Gualo, the papal legate, xcv
Guildford—
Alan Farchild the parker of, 60
Alan Longis the parker of, 60
Bartholomew the parker of, 55, 56 bis
57 bis, 59, 60 bis
Elias Maunsel the parker of, 59 bis, 60
John the son of Aubrey the under-
parker of, Ixvi, 55, 58
Richard le Ram the underparker of, 57
Robert the parker of, 58
INDEX OF PEESOXS
169
Guildford—
Walter of Dorchester the underparker
of, 57, 59, 60
le Gyw, Geoffrey, 56
Hack, Eoger of, see Chigwell
Haldhead, Eoger, 71
Hale, Eobert of, 4
atte Hall—
Eichard, 117
Eobert, 117
Hall, WiUiam of the, 24
atte Hall gate, Godwin, see Corby
Ham, Hamme, Eobert, 57
Hanbury, Hamburi, Geoffrey of, 120
Hanningfield, John le Brun of, 73
Hanslope —
Eoger, Ealph and Thurstan, the sons
of John the son of John of, 38
Simon of, 38
Hanwood, Eobert of, 8
Harbury, Erburg —
John de Neville the parson of, 63
Hardwick, Eanulph the reaper of, 5
Harefoot, Harefot, William, Ixvi 7iote
Harlow, Colin of, 29
the Harper, le Harpur, Eichard, see
Upthorp
Hartecla, see Hartley
Hartley, Hartecla, Michael of, 118
HasUngfield, William of, 72
Hastings —
Henry of, 99
William of, 61
Haunton, Eobert of, cxxiv
de Hauville, Elias, xviii
Haversham, Benedict of, 7
the hayward, see Liddington
Heathencote, Hecmundcot, Henry of, 14
Hecmundcot, see Heathencote
atte Hedge, Attehegge, de la Hegge, Wil-
liam, Ixvi note, 55
Heest, William, see Billington
Heldegar, William, 25
Helle—
William, 33
William the son of John, 32, 100, 101
Hengham, see Hingham
Hereford, Eobert the servant of the earl
of, 7
Heyes, Ealph of, bailiff of the earl of
Warwick, 39
Higham, Eoger of, cxxviii
Hingham, Hengham, Ealph of, civ note,
117
Hinton, Hulle of, 9
Hippewelle, William of, 120
Hog, Geoffrey, 94, 97
Holcot, Ealph of, 21, 22
Holt, Eoger of, 120, see also Studley
Holton, Eichard of, 9
Holway, Ealph, 35
atte Hook, Attehoke, de la Hoke-
Andrew, 56
John, Ixvi, 54
Hope, Eobert of, 8
Hopestan, John, 10
Horndon, John Malegraffe of, 73
Horstail, Elias, see Marston
Horton, Eichard of, see Geddington
Hotot, Houetot, see Huttoft
Houghton —
Eobert of, 129
Simon of, Ixiii note, 5, 14, 79
William of, 32, 99, 100, 101 bis
de le Howes, John, 129
Hubaud—
Henry, Ixxxii, Ixxxiv
John, 120
Hungry, Gilbert of, 84
the hunter —
Guy, 10
Eobert, 23
Huntingdon —
Henry the rector of the school of, 21
Eobert the undermaster of the school
of, 21
Walter the chaplain of, 78
Walter the vicar of St. Mary, 12
Hurtmore —
Philip of, 56
William the nephew of Philip of, 50
Hussey, Huse, Ralph, 42
Hut, Clement, 72 Ms
Hutting, Ealph, 35
Huttoft, Hotot, Houetot—
Fulk of, 118
John of, 117
Eobert, 95
Thomas of, 7
Hyde, Eichard of, see Eayleigh
Hyend, William, 65
Iakesle, see Yaxley
larwell, see Yarwell
Ilchester, luelcestre —
John Trice of, 43
170
INDEX OF PERSONS
Ilchester —
William Petty of, 43
Ing, Ginges, John Buffers of, 73
Inge, Ingge, William, civ note, 117, 120
Ingram, Robert, cxxviii
Inkel, Thomas, forester of Cliffe, 3
Inthelane, Samuel, 24
lorz, see Jort
Irchester —
Hugh the parson of, 19, 20 bis
Hugh the man of Hugh the parson of,
19
Oliver the son of Hugh the parson of,
19
William of Floore of, 20
Ireland, Eichard the son of Richard of,
see Mansfield
de risle, de Insula —
Brian, xv note, xcvii note
Nicholas, 118
Simon, Ixviii
Warin, see Rampton
Sir WilUam, 88, 107
Islip —
Adam of, 30, 86
Gilbert of, 15
Henry Jocehom of, 109
Henry le Neve of, 36
Henry Newborn of, 109
Henry the son of Gervais the fisher
of, 29, 30, 83, 85
Ralph the painter of, 30, 86, 109
Walter the son of Gervais the fisher
of, 30, 86
William the son of Richard outside
the town of, 109
luelhering, Uuelhering, Ralph, see Lo-
wick
Ive, John, see the son of Ives
James, Nicholas, the parker of Guildford,
59 Us, 60
Jocehom, Henry, see Islip
Joie, Geoffrey, 73
de Jort, de lorz, Richard, 61
Jouce, Robert, see Lyveden
Justice. Hugh, see Upthorp
Kakilberd, Walter, Ixxiv twte, 110, 111
Kastenho, Reynold of, 72
Kenilworth, the prior of, 121
Ketton —
Andrew of, xciv
Eichard the son of William de Base-
ville of, 4
le Keu, Henry, 131
Kidenoc, Robert, see Benefield
Kilkenny, Master William of, arch-
deacon of Coventry, afterwards bishop
of Ely, 17, 105, 108
Kimberley, Robert of, 118
King, le King —
Alan, see Brampton
Reynold, see Woolley
Robert, Ixvi, 55, 56
King's Ripton, Hem-y of, 20
Kingsley, Kyngleye, Nicholas of, 120
Kirkby -
Ralph of, 47
Thomas, 31
Kivelsworthy, Simon of, 28, 81
the Knight, le Cheualer, Philip, see
Somerton
Knossington —
Richard of, 7
William of, 7
Kocesey, see Cooksey
Kuit, Simon, 24
Kydelomb, Hugh, see Geddington
Kynton, Norman, 103
de Kyryel, see de Criel
Kyte, Henry, see Benefield
DE Lacy, see de Lassy
Laindon, Adam of, 73
Lambourne, John the woodward of, 71
Lancaster, Roger of, xvi
Landbeach, Thomas Bakun of, 131
Lane, Roger of, see Brigstock
Langdon, Geoffrey of, 73
Langford, Robert of, 9
Langley—
Sir Geoffrey of, cxiii, 32, 37, 45, 76,
77, 91 bis, 92, 98, 99, 103, 104, 110
his wife, 95
Robert the keeper of, 37, 110
Thomas of, xv note
Langton, Robert of, 7
de Lassy, de Lascy, Edmund. 92, 95
quater, 105
Launde, the prior of, 1, 51
de Lay, John, 131
Leake, John of, 118
Lee, Ralph of, 9
INDEX OF PERSONS
171
Leffet, Eichard, see Apethorp
Leicester, see de Montfort
Leigh, Leye, William of, 120
Lench, Peter of, 129
Lenton, the prior of, xiiii
Lenveyse, Eichard, 19 his, 20, 21
Lesquier, Simon, xciv
Lessington, Sir John of, 98
Levelaunse, Simon, Ixxxiv
Leverton, Leyrton —
Alan of, 62
le Levetaing, William, 72
Lewknor, Geoffrey of, 1-li 6is,liv, Iv, Iviii,
11, 27, 34, 115
Lexington, John of, xiii, cxxxii note
Leyburn, Eoger of, xvi
Leyrton, see Leverton
de Lezynan, see de Lusignan
Liddington—
Alexander the son of Geoffrey of, 49
Peter the son of Constantine of, 50
Eobert the hayward of, 49
Lilford, John the son of Eichard of,
101 bis
Linby, Lyndeby —
Bate of, 61
Eoger of, 61
Lincoln—
the bishop of, 14, 21, 32, 39, 92
Eoger, the hunter of the bishop of, 22
William of, 22
William the servant of the bishop of,
12
Lindsay, Eobert of, see Lowick
Lindsey, William of, attorney of the
bishop of Lincoln, Ixxxix, xcii tiote
de Lion, Peter, 8
Little Billing, Andrew the Freeman of,
40
Littlebury, John the son of John of, see
Orton
Littlehey, Litlehey, Henry of, lix
atte Loft, ad solium, Elias, 24
London, Eichard the son of Peter of, 70,
71
Long, le Long —
Peter, Ixvi, 55
William, 24
de Longchamp, Sir Eobert, 34, 99
de Longeville, Eobert, see Orton
Longis, Alan, see Guildford, the heirs of
Alan, 60
Loom, Albin, see Brampton
le Lord, Elias, sec Alconbury
Lortebrook —
Henry of, 29, 84
John of, 29, 84
le Lormener, John, 55
de Lorty, de Ortiaco —
Humphrey the man of Eichard,
le Loue, Eobert, Ixxxiii
le Loup, Eobert, xviii
Lovet, Luuet -
Sir John, see Eushton
Eobert, xciv
Lowick, Lufwic —
Alan the son of Hugh of, 38, 39
John Messias of, 38, 39
Ealph luelhering of, Ixxv note, 38, 39
bis, 112
Eobert of Lindsay in, 40
Eobert Pette of, 38, 39
Eobert the son of William of, 30, 85,
108
Lowther, Hugh of, 118
Lubbe, Eoger, see Denford
de Luci—
Eobert, 72
Eoger, 72
Ludbrook, Henry of, 21
Ludham —
Peter of, 118
Eichard of, 78 ter
Luffenham, William Basset of, 47
de Lusignan, de Lezinan, Aymar, 91
Lutterworth, Elias of, 6
de la Lynde —
John, Ixxxii, cxxiv
William, Ixxxii
Lyndeby, see Linby
Lythegreyns, John of, 118
Lyveden —
Adam the son of Aldich of, 114 his
Bate of, xcii, 112
Bernard of, 114
Henry the son of Ailwin of, 114
Nicholas the son of Sweyn of, Ixxiv
note, Ixxv note, 36, 112
Ealph the son of Eobert the son of
Quenyl of, 30, 84, 85
Eobert Jouce of, 112
Eobert the son of Luke of, 84
Eobert the son of Quenyl of, 30, 84, 85
Simon the son of Sweyn of, Ixiii note,
112
Walter the son of Fythiun of, 114 his
Walter the son of Sweyn of, Ixxiv note,
Ixxv note, 36
172
INDEX OF PERSONS
Lyveden —
William the son of Andrew of, 108
William Cideran of, 114
William Clifard of, 114
William Mauclerc of, 32, 90
Lyvet, Lyuet, Robert, 120
M.UDW-ELL —
Sir Alan of, Ixiii 7iote, 28, 29, 30, 35,
81, 82, 84
Eichard of, 33
Richard the son of Walkelin of, 33
Thomas the son of Peter of, 33
Malegraffe, John, see Horndon
Malet, Thomas, 118
Mammesfeld, see Mansfield
Man —
Simon, see Sibthorpe
William, see Sibthorpe
Manby —
Hugh of, 34, 35
Brother Robert of, 111 bis
Mansel, John, xvii, xxxix 7iote, 14
Mansfield, Mammesfeld —
Hugh of, 61
Ralph the clerk of, 61
Richard the son of Richard of Ireland
of, 68
Thomas Sheth of, 68
Mantel, Robert, 37, 91, 99
Mareham, Marines, John of, 19
de Mares, Sir Robert, 34, 91, 99, 106
Marines, see Mareham
Marsh, Guy of, 9
the marshall, Osbert, see Caxton
Marshall —
John, xciv
William, the earl of Pembroke, xcv
Marston, Elias Horstail of, 5
Martinsthorpe, Alexander of, 7
de Martinvast, de Martivallis, de Marti-
wast —
Alice the sister of William, 49
Ralph, 6
William, 49
Mauclerc, William, see Lyveden
Maufe, Simon, 19
de Maullay, Peter, xcv
Maunsel —
Ehas, 59 bis, GO
Robert, 123
Mayden, Robert, see Benefield
Meagre, Geoffrey, see Benefield
de Meht, Maurice, 84, 85 bis
Mep, Robert of, Ixxxii
Mersse, Hugh, 8
Merton —
Colin of, 18
Nicholas of, 20
Messias, John, see Lowick
Metny, Ralph of, 16
Middleton —
Henry of, 57
John I'Estrange, lord of, 130
Peter of, 65
Richard of, 117
Thomas of, archdeacon of Norwich,
130 bis
Mile, William, Ixvi note
atte Mill, Richard, see Dillicgton
Minton, Ralph the forester of Walter of,
8
Mitton, Nicholas of, cxxx
le Moin —
Berenger, 112
Hugh, see Thurning
John, xcii
Roger, 7
William, 24
Molesworth, Godfrey of, 20
Molkweye, Geoffrey, Ixvii
Monmouth, John of, xv Jiote
de Montfort —
Alexander, liv
[Eleanor], countess of I/eicester, 91 bis
Henry, 98 bis, 102
Henry the son of Simon, 93
Peter, 40
Simon, earl of Leicester, 91
on the moor, John, see Warsop
de Mortemer, de Mortuo Mari —
Geoffrey, xviii, 19, 22
William, 120
Morton, Gilbert of, 123
Mose, Philip, 72 bis
de la Mouche, de Mnsca, William, 88,
108
Moulton, Moleton—
Ralph Uphill of, 40
Richard de Berners of, 40
Stephen of, 88
de Moyon, de Mohun —
James, 130
Rej-nold, Ixviii
le Muegide, John, 57
de Munfiquet, de Munfichet, Richard,
INDEX OF PERSONS
173
\
Munford, William, 37
Murdoch, Mordak', Murdak' —
Henry, 43, 46, 50 ter
Henry the son of Henry, 50
Mursley, Murechelegh, Peter of, 54
de Musca, see de la Mouche
Nailfokp, Adam of, xviii
Naseby, Nauesby, Thomas the son of
Simon of, see Brampton
Nauesby, see Naseby
Needingworth, William Grey of, 20
Neirnut, Ralph, see Threwelton
Nel, Nicholas, Ixxxiv
le Neve, Henry, sre Islip
de Neville —
Geoffrey, xvi note
Hasculph, 46
Hugelyn, the lady, see Brampton
Hugh, xciv, xcvii, 8 bis
Ives the son of Alan, 45
John, Sir, 123, 124
John, see Harbury
Jollan, cxxv
Michael, 7
Peter (the son of Hasculf of Allexton),
xvii, xx-xxii, xxxv, xxxvi, Ixix, 43,
44, 46, 47 ter, 48 se.ries, 49 sexies, 50
novies, 51 quater, 52 bis
Ralph the brother of Robert, 50
Ralph, Iviii, cxvi, 65
Robert, 2,. 50 bis, 62
Roger, 1 bis
Theobald, xvii note
William, xcvi
Newbond, Robert, 27, 107
Newborn, Henry, see Islip
Newdigate, Robert the brother of Reynold
of, 58
le Neweman, Walter, 72
Newland, Ralph the son of Simon of, 2
Newton —
Henry the son ol Benselin of, 3
Geoffrey the baker of, 36
Richard Gelee, the reaper of, 3
Roger Franceis of. 110
William Freeman of, 110
le Noble -
Henry the son of Peter, Kec Buckden
Hugh, see Sudborough
Robert, see Sudborough
Simon, 25
atte Nook, in Ahgulo —
Geoffrey, see Oakley
Richard, 24
Nopping, 110
le Norreys —
Walter, see Blidworth
William, 17
Nornianton, Richard of, 67
de Normanville, Thomas, 61
Northampton -
Giles, archdeacon of, 47
John Samson the reeve of, 5
Samuel the son of James of, 2
Simon Vicor of, 2
Walter the dean of, Ixxxix
William of, xviii, Ixviii, 28, 31, 75, 79,
80, 88 bis, 89 bis
Northwood, William of, 117
Nottingham, Stephen Fleming of, 65
de Nowers, de Nohers —
Peter, xcii note
Robert, 38, 40
Oakham, Henry the tanner of, 117
Oakley, Acle —
Geoffrey atte Nook of, 87
Godwin the forester of Robert of, 1
Reynold, Ivii, 38, 42, 43, 54
Robert of, 1
Simon of, 37, 112 bis
Solomon of, 36, 109 bis
Old or Wold, Simon of Overton, parson of,
31, 89
Oldbare, Philip, 37
Orenlefeld, Alexander of, 120
de Orival, see d'Airvault
Orreby, Philip of, see Sawtry
de Ortiaco, see de Lorty
Orton, Ouerton —
John the son of John of Littlebury of, 76
Robert de Longeville parson of, xcii
Oswestry or Whitchurch, Album Monas-
terium—
Richard of, 50
Thomas, 5
Otteworth, see Utworth
Omidle, Henry the nephew of the dean
of, 112
Overstone, Oueston —
Robert the Freeman of, 40
Overton, Simon of, see Old
Oysel, Richard, 118
174
INDEX OF PERSONS
Page, Eobert, see Ackwellsike and Sud-
borough
Taie, Eichard, 24
the painter —
Hugh, 30, 86
Ralph, see Islip
Pain, WilKam, 129
Pakeden, Peter, 37
Pakner, Austin, see Alconbury
Panton, James of, 44
de Paris, Peter, 2
of the park, de parco, del park —
Andrew, 55
Nicholas, 58
Eobert, 56
the parker, see Guildford
parsons, see
Albury
Arthingworth
Ashiugdon
Barnack
Colworth
Easton
Glatton
Harbury
Irchester
Old
Orton
Polebrook
Stanton
Stapleford
Syresham
Thornhaugh
Thurning
Tring
Whaplode
Parti-idge, Perdriz —
Simon, 73
de le Paryc, Peter, 57
Passelewe^
Sir Eobert, xvj, 18, 22, 24, 81, 81, 84,
85, 88, 93, l2Znote
John, 120
Pate, Walter, see Pilton
Pattishall, Eichard of, 33, 100, 102
Pavely, Eichard, 118
Payne, Nicholas, see Warsop
Pecche, Sabine, xvi, Ixvii note
Penbridge, Fulk of, see Stanton
de la Penne, Hugh, 130
Pente, Eobert, 55
Pentham, William of, see Southoe
Perchead, Walter the son of Robert, Ix note,
Ixxivwoie, 36, 112
de Percy, Henry, xj
Perrin, a clerk in the king's almonry, 34
Perry (co. Hunts), Pyrie —
Geoffrey Eede of, lix
Eoger the smith of, lix
William le Pestur of, lix
Perry (co. Wore), Pyrie, Nicholas the son
of Theobald of, Ixxxii
Peterborough, the abbot of, 105
Pette, Robert, see Lowick
Petty, Petit, William, see Ilchester
Pichard, 45
Picot, William, xiv iwte
Pikard, John, xix
Pilton, Pilketon—
Bartholomew of, xciv
Bate of, 112
Geoffrey of, 77, 78
John of Bray of, 108
Thomas of, 108
Eobert of, 47, 50
Walter Pate of, 36
de Pin, Stephen, 2
Pipewell, the abbot of, 81
Piscarius, see the fisher
du Plessis —
Sir John, earl of Warwick, xxxv note,
92, 93, 102 ter, 108
William, Ixvii
atte Pleystret, Walter, Ixviii
Polebrook, Pokebroc, Eobert the parson of,
Ixxxviii, xc, xcli, 112
Polswayn, John, 54
atte Pond, ad uiuarium, see Brigstock
Pontefract, Eoger of, 112
atte Pool, ad stagnum —
Gilbert, 29, 83, 86
Porte, John, xlix
the porter, le Porter —
Eichard, see Weston
Eobert, 8
Portsea, Portesye, Eichard of, Ixxxiv
Powick, William of, Iv
Prelle, Bateman, see Colchester
Prentut, John, 23, 106, 107 his, 109
Prestgrave, the sokemen of, 7
Preston —
Peter, 5
Walter of, 3, 4
Prestwood, Eichard of, 8
Prodhomme, John, 117
Prutfoot, Robert, 44
Puintel, Thomas, 73
Purbik, Walter, 60
{
INDEX OF PERSONS
175
Pureell, Roger, 8
Purshul], William of, Ixxx
Pyrie, see Perry
QuAPPELADE, see Whaplode
Quinton, William, 74
DE Rabayn, Sir Elias, 98 quater
Eadford, Felicia of, Ixxxiii
Eagere, Richard le Yepe of, 73
le Ram, Richard, 57
Rampton, Warin de I'lsle, lord of, 130
Ramsey —
the abbot of, Ix, 131
the hunter of the abbot of, 17
Rastel, Roger, 33
Eaveley —
Robert the carpenter of, lix
Roger the son of Thomas of, lix
Raveningham, Ravelingham —
Master Roger of, 12 bis
Walter Sharp, his hunter, 12 bis
Ravensdale, the prior of, cxxvii
Rayleigh, Richard of Hyde of, 73
Reading —
the abbot of, cxv note
William of, 14
Red-
Geoffrey, see Farding
Ralph, see Siberton
Rede, Geoffrey, see Perry
the reeve —
Henry, 29, 107
Thomas, 80
de Regny, Robert, 57, 58
Resun, Ralph, see Brampton
de Reviers, de Eipariis, William, Ixviii
Richard, earl of Cornwall, king of Ger-
many, cvii, ex, cxiii, 47, 70, 91, 104
quater, 108
le Ride, William, see Stoke
le Rider, William, 51
Ridge, William of the, 10
Rimnold, John, see Apethor
Ringsdon, Walter of, 2
de Eipariis, see de Reviers
Ripton, Simon of, 24
de Rochefort, Sir Gui, 92, 93 quater
Rocholf, William, Ixxix
Rockingham —
Gilbert the doorkeeper of the castle of,
85
Rockingham —
Thomas the son of Odeyn of, 111
the warden of the castle of, xvii
Rode, William of, 106, 107
Roding, Rothinge, William of, 131
Roebuck, Hulle, 9
the Roman, Richard, 87
Romsey, Nicholas of, 1, li bis, liv, Iv, Ivii,
Iviii, 11, 27, 38, 42, 43, 54, 111
Roe, Robert of, xiv not«
de Rose, Walter, 113
Rothwell, Rowell'—
Philip the smith of, 33
Vincent the son of Silvester the chap-
lain of, 113
Rothinge, see Roding
Rowberrow, Roweberue, Robert of, Ixvii
Rowell, see Rothwell
Rudham, Walter of, see Tring
de la Rudynge, Richard, Ixxii
Ruffers, John, see Ing
Ruges, 42
le Rus —
Richard, 41
William, 77, 78
Rushall, Vivian of, 10
Eusliton —
Henry Trenchnot of, 1
Sir John Lovet of, Ixi, Ixiv, Ixv, 28, 29,
34, 35, 81, 82, 83, 87, 96 his, 99, 100,
101 bis, 103, 111
Peter the son of Mary of, 114
Richard the brother of Robert of, 1 bia
Robert of, 1
Russell —
Geoffrey, see Stanwiek
John, see Graf ham
Roger, see Ashwell
William, 97 his
Rutland —
Hugh the forester of, 7
Samuel the forester of, 7
le Ryde, William, see Stoke
Saham, William of, 130
de S. Amand, Aymar, xxvi
de Sai, Philip, 117
St. Andrews, Roger of, 118
St. Briavells, the constable of, xii note,
xxiii
St. Cleer, Robert, 41
St. Ives, John Ballard of, 11, 22
de sancto Licio, sec de Senlis
X 2
MG
IXDEX^OF PEl^SONS
de St. Maur, Nicholas, 36
de St. Omer, William, cxxiv
de St. Samson, Balph, 85
Salford, Saldeford, Thomas of, 51 bis, 52
Sallaye, see Sawley
Sallowe, John of, see Stilton
Salond, William of, 38
Samson —
John, see Northampton
Norman, 20, 21, 25
Norman the page of, 21
Norman, 21
Eobert, 7
the Saracen, Ralph, 87
le Sauvage, James, Ixviii
Sawley, Sallaye, John of, ex
Sawtry —
Hugh the spenser of, 76
John the son of Paul of, 76
Philip of Orreby in, 76
Scamel, Walter, dean of Salisbury, ci,
cii, ciii
Scheluestrode, John of, 120
Scherleford, John of, Ixxxii
Sehortfrend, see Shortfriend
Schraueleye, see Shrawley
le Scot, Scot — •
Hawe, 73
Hugh, 9
Roger, 74
William, 56, 85
Scottow, Skotowe, William of, 130
Scrippe, Michael, see Bramwell
Scroty —
John, see Upthorp
Richard, see Upthorp
Sculthorp —
Robert, 117
Walter, 117
Seagrave, Gilbert of, 74, 105
Seaton, Reynold of, 117
Secrestein, William, see Alconbury
Selegh, Elias, see Alconbury
Seman, Lawrence, see Cambridge
atte Send, Robert, 117
de Senlis, de Sancto Licio —
Henry, 27
Ralph, 47
Simon, Ixviii
Wilham, 117
the Serjeant —
Robert, cxxxi
Thomas, 103
ton, John of, cxxiv
Shaffeld, William of, 61
Shaftesbury, abbess of, Ixviii
Sharp, Walter, see Raveningham
Sheepy, William of, 130
Sheth, Thomas, see Mansfield
Shortfriend, Sehortfrend, William, 54
Shrawley, Schraueleye, William Wyberd
of, 120
Siberton —
John Caperun the elder of, Ixii, Ixxxix,
20
John the son of John Caperun of, Ixxxix
Ralph Red of, 3
Robert Sturdi of, 3
Roger Tock of, 3, 4
Sibthorpe —
Alan of, 14
Geoffrey the son of Alan of, 14
Geoffrey the son of Stephen Swift of,
23, 75
John the forester of, 15
Simon Man of, 15
Richard Gamelyn of, 15
William the brother of Simon Man of, 15
William of Wells of, 15
Silverstone — ■
Richard of, 37
William the son of Osbert of, 33, 96
Sinclair, Robert, 23, 41
Skeflington —
Nicholas of, 6
Robert the son of Adam of, 6
Skipton, Robert of, 23
le Skot, William, 56
Skotowe, see Scottow
Slifeld', see Slyfield
Slipton—
Henry at the cross of, 110
Henry the clerk of, 110
John the son of Stephen Cut of, 29, 82
Ralph Basset of, 110
atte Slough, Atteslow, de la Slow, Ralph,
Ixvi note, 55
Slyfield, Slifeld'—
Alan of, Ixvi, 54
Ralph, Ixvi, 54
the smith —
Henry, see Benefield
Philip, see Rothwell
Roger, see Perry
Snorscombe, Nicholas the reaper of, 5
de Solers, Maurice, see Brigstock
ad Solium, see atte Loft
Solomon, 110
INDEX OF PERSONS
177
Somerset, John of, 34, 103
Somersham, Alan of, the servant of Sir
Roger of Thirkleby, 118
Somerton, Philip the Knight of, 41, 42
de Sommery —
John, 120
Eoger, cxxiv
THE SON OF —
Adam —
Gilbert, see Apethorp
Peter, 29, 83
Robert, see Skeffington
Agnes Bonde, Robert, see Edwinstowe
Ailwin, Henry, see Lyveden
Alan —
Alan, 24
Geoffrey, see Sibthorpe
Ives, see de Neville
John, 28
Thomas, 130
Walter, see Benefield
William, 6
Aldich, Adam, see Lyveden
Alexander —
Robert, see Billing
Thomas, 114 bis
Alice —
Roger, see Boughton
Nicholas, 24
Andrew, William, see Lyveden
Aubrey, John, see Guildford
Baldwin, Reynold, see Barling
Basil, Roger, see Stilton
Benselin, Henry, see Newton
Clement, William, see Worplesdon
Constantine, Peter, see Liddington
Conis, Simon, see ChigweU
Deudon, Samuel, 2
Edward, Eoger, see Woodnewton
Elias, Henry, 42
Emma, Roger, see Buckden
Ernulph, Stephen, 72
Eustace, Thomas, 5
Folk—
Colin the son of William, see Ged-
dington
Thomas the son of Roger, see Ged-
dington
Fythiun, Walter, see Lyveden
Geoffrey —
Alexander, see Liddington
Sir John, 73
Reynold, see Thoresby
Richard, see Blidworth
THE SON OF —
Gerard, John, 3
Gervais —
Henry, see Islip
Walter, see Islip
Gilbert, Laurence, see Southoa
Godfrey, Robert, see Corby
Godwin —
Hugh, 29, 83, 84
John, 30, 86
Gregory, Simon, 24
Gunnilda, William, 7
Guy-
Henry, see Brigstock
Roger, 72
Hasculf, Peter, see Allexton
Hawis —
Nicholas, 24
Henry—
Henry, see Murdoch
John, see atte Down
Richard, see Grafton
Robert, see Stoke
Robert, see Yarwell
William, 33
William, see Benefield
William, see Drayton
Hugh-
Alan, see Lowick
Henry, see Brigstock
Hugh, see Gobyon
Peter, sec Grafton
Ralph, see Chalcombe
William, 24
Inge, Robert, see Benefield
Ingram, John, see Brigstock
Ives —
John (also called John Ive), 81, 94,
109
Richard the son of Geoffrey, see Blid-
worth
James, Samuel, see Northampton
John—
Henry, see Sudborough
John, see Orton
John, see Siberton
Ralph the son of John, see Hanslope
Robert, see Twywell
Roger the son of John, see Han-
slope
Thurstan the son of John, see Han-
slope
William, see Helle
Jordan, Richard, see Uppingham
178
INDEX OF PERSONS
THE SON OF —
Lawrence, Roger, see Waclenhoe
Lefsi, Henry, 6
Luke, Robert, see Lyveden
Mabel, Dawe, see Sudborough
Mabel, Ralph, see Sudborough
Maddoc, Robert, 9
Margery, Thurgton, 24
the Marshal, Hamo, 10
Maud, Hugh, see Benefield
Mary, Peter, see Rnshton
Maurice, Jordan, 72
Michael —
Geoffrey, 72
Michael, see Uppingham
Nicholas—
John, see Alconbury
Geoffrey, see Great Oakley
Nigel, John, 121 his, 122 ter
NoruLian, Simon, 69
Odeyn, Thomas, see Rockingham
Osbert—
Brian, see Chigwell
Geoffrey, 24, 75
Laurence, sec Southoe
Nicholas, Ixxxii
Nicholas, see Chigwell
William, see Silverstone
Osmund, William, see Sudborough
the parson, Oliver, 19, 20
Pain-
Robert, 43
William, 5
Paul, John, see Sawtry
Peter—
Haseulf, see Allezton
Henry, see Buckden
Richard, see London
Roger, see Uppingham
Thomas, see Maidwell
Philip, Roger, see Alconbury
Quenyl, Ralph the son of Robert,
Lyveden
Ralph-
Hugh, Ixii note
Michael, 72
William, see Weston
William, see Cat worth
Solomon, see Barking
Ranulf, Gilbert, see Winwick
the reeve —
Norman, see Corby
Richard, see Apethorp
William, see Benelield
THE SON OF —
Reynold —
Ralph, see Edwinstowe
Richard, xciv
Richard-
Henry, see Brigstock
Henry, see Clipstone
John, see Lilford
Osbert, see Weston
Richard, see Ireland
William, see Islip
Robert —
Gerald, see Brigstock
Geoffrey, see Southorpe
Godfrey, see Southoe
Hugh, 8
Ralph, see Lyveden
Richard, 29, 84
Robert, see Corbet
Robert, see Geddington
Roger, 81
Thomas, Ixxix
Walter, 26 bis
Walter, see Perchead
William, see Alconbury
William, see Boughton
William, see Weldon
Roger —
Hugh, 30, 84
John, see Chigwell
Peter, 30, 84
Richard, xciv
Robert, 37, 101, 129
Simon, see Geddington
Thomas, see Fulk
Thomas, see Geddington
Sara, Geoffrey, see Empingham
Silvester, Vincent, see Rothwell
Simon —
Hugh, xciv
John, 7
Ralph, see Newland
Thomas, see Naseby
William, 103
William, see Barton
the smith, William, see Alconbury
Stephen —
Geoffrey, see Swift
John, see Slipton
Sweyn —
Nicholas, see Lyveden
Robert, Ix
Simon, see Lyveden
Walter, see Lyveden
mDEX OF PERSONS
179
THE SON OF —
Theobald, Nicholas, sec Perry
Thomas —
Mathew, xciv
Roger, 129
Roger, see Raveley
Viel, Robert, see Grafham
Walkelin, Richard, see Maidwell
Walter—
;. Henry, see Winwick
Thomas, see Diddington
Warin —
William, Ixxix
William, see Bassingbourn
William-
Colin, see Fulk
Godwin, see Corby
Henry, see Dolfyn
Hugh, see Brigstock
John, 24
John, see Thoure
Nicholas, see Geddington
Peter, 72
Peter, see Boughton
Richard, see de Baseville
Robert, see Lowick
Roger, see Boughton
Simon, see Tuluse
William, Ixxxii
William, see Cardun
William, see Wadeiihoe
William, see Weston
the winnower, William, 97 bis
Southoe —
Godfrey of, lix
Godfrey the son of Robert of, lix
Lawrence of, lix
Lawrence the son of Gilbert of, lix
Lawi-ence the son of Osbert of, lix
William of Pentham of, lix bis
Southorpe, Sutorp, Geoffrey the son of
Robert of, Ixxxviii
Southwick, William of, the verderer, 45
note
Spain, Thomas of, 99
Spigurnel, John, 97, 102, 101, 105, 109
Spmney, WiUiam of, 120
Sprang, Richard, 1
Springehose, Roger, 9
Staines, see Stone
Stamford, Master Peter of, 34, 103
Stanion —
Elias of, 109
William of Twywell in, 109 .
Stanley, Vincent of, 18, 25
Stannard, Robert, see Wadenhoe
Stanton —
Fulk of Penbridge, parson of, 181
Philip of, xliii, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 75
Stanwick, Geoffrey Russell of, 39
Stapleford, the parson of, 71
Staverton, Henry of, 5
Stek, Walter, 43
Stilton-
John the freeman of, 77
John of Sallowe of, 77
Richard of, 12, 76, 77
Robert of, 77
Roger the son of Basil of, 77
Simon Clifard of, 76
Thomas of, 77
Stockton, John of, 57 bis
Stoke —
Peter de Colleville of, 80, 103
Richard Colleville of, 103
Robert the son of Henry of, 108
Thomas the reeve of, 80
William le Ryde of, 54
Stone, Stanes —
Elias of, Ixxx
Philip of, Ixii tiote
de Stoteville, William, ex
Straleye, see Strelley
Strangowe, Reynold, 72
Stratford —
Hugh of, 123
Robert of, 73
Strech, Robert, of the household of the
earl of Kent, 73
Strelley, Straleye, Robert of, 61
Stretford, Elias of, 114
Studley — ■
the prior of, 120
Roger de la Holt of, Ixxix
Stukeley, Henry of, 25
Stule, Thomas, 106, 107
Stupelley, John of, Ixxxii
Sturdi, Robert, see Siberton
de Sturmy, see d'Esturmi
Sudborough —
Dawe the son of Mabel of, 102
Geoffrey, 88
Gerald the son of Robert of, see Brig-
stock
Henry the son of John of, 97
Henry the son of William Dolfyn of, 95
Hugh le Noble the chaplain of, 33
Jocelin of Dene of, 95
180
INDEX OF PERSONS
Sud borough —
Ralph the son of Mabel of, 29, 84, 85
Robert of, 29, 84
Robert le Noble of, 33, 94
Robert Page of the reeve, 94, 104
William the son of Osmund, 94
Sussex—
Adam the fellow of Ralph of, 89
Ralph of, 89, 100, 102
Walter of, see Dunton
Sutton —
Henry of, 30, 3(5, 86
John of, cxxxi
Ralph the miller of, 68
Roger of, 54
8wartgar —
Geoffrey, 2!), 83
Hugh, fee Brigstock
Swift, Geoffrey the son of Stephen, see
Sibthorpe
Swillington, Hugh of, cxvi note
Svresham, Ralph the parson. of, 77
Syrey, Syry, John, Ixxxviii
Syward, John, Ixvii
Tailbaed, Ralph, xciv
the tailor -
John, steward of Sir Alan la Zouche, 57
Philip, 112
Robert, 61
Tanet, Peter, 2
Tayllard, Richard, 117
Templars, the master of the Knights, 120
Thame, Jordan of, 130
Thirkleby, Thurkeleby. Sir Roger of, 113
Thoresby —
Reynold the son of Geoffrey of, 6
Richard Godard of, 67
Thornhaugh —
EHas of, 112
William the son of the parson of,
Ixxxix bis, 112
Thorp, Sir Simon of, 1, li bis, liv, 11, 27,
90, 91
Thoure, John the son of William of, 68
Thrapston, Robert the parson of, 108
Threwelton, Ralph Neirnut of, 5
Tluukeleby, see Thirkleby
Thurlbear, Torleberg', Turlebpr'—
James of, 28 bis, 79, 81 bis, 99, 103,
109
Mathew the brother of James of, 28,
79, 80, 81
Thurning, Hugh le Moin the parson of,
112
Tingewiok —
EUas of, 123 bis, 124
Roger of, 28, 79, 95, 96, 108
Tinsley, Henry of, 61
Titchmarsh, Ralph of, 37
del Toe, Robert, 2
Tock, Roger, see Siberton
Tolthorp, William of, 117
Toseland, Master Richard of, 18, 24
Towcester, Wibert of, 124
atte Town, atte Tone, de la Tone — ■
William, see Farnborough
atte Town send, ad capud uille, Richard,
see Edwinstowe
Travers, Walter, 97
Trenchnot, Henry, see Rushton
Trice, John, see Ilchestcr
Tring, Walter of Rudham, parson of, xoi
Truke, Richard, see Dillington
Trumpington —
Baldwin the reeve of William of, 4
William of, 4
Trusseliare, Richard, 17
Tuke, Henry, see Brigstock
Tuluse -
Simon the son of William, 38, 39 bis
Walter the man of William, 39
William, 38, 39
Tundeslegh, Adam of, 57
Turkil-
Bartholoraew, see Wliittlesey
William, see Whittlesey
Turville, Turreuille, Richard, 120
Tvviti, Twyti, Twici, William, cxv note
Twywell—
Robert of, 17
Robert the son of John of, 110
William of, s e Stanion
Tyheye, Ernuiph of, see Barking
Tyneslawe, Henry of, 61
Uffington, John of, 48
Ufford—
the chaplain of, 2
Robert of, clerk, 2
Ulf, Richard, see Woodhurst
d'Umfraville, WilUam, 130
Uphill, Ralph, see Moulton
Uppingham —
Henry of, 7
Hugh of, 44
INDEX OF I'EKSONS
181
Uppingham —
Michael the son of Michael of, 44
Peter of, 44, 46
Richard the son of Jordan of, 44
Roger the son of Peter of, 7
Stephen of, 44
Upthorp —
Geoffrey Duke of, 112
Hugh Justice of, 101 bis
John Scroty of, 112
Jordan of, see Benefield
Richard the Harper of, 32, 100
Richard Scroty of, 112
Upton —
Gilbert of, 26
Oliver of, 12, 77
Upwood, William of, 26
Utworth, Otteworth, Edmund of, 117
Uuelhering, see luelhering
LE Vacher, Wlliam, 89 bis
de Val, Robert, 120
de Valence, Sir William, 105, 113
de Verdun, Bartholomew, 45
de Vescy, Sir William, xxxi, xxxiii-xxxiv,
Iviii, 61, 62, 66, 67
de Vezpont, de Ueteri Ponte —
John, cxiv, cxvii
Rober., cxvii
Vicor, Simon, see Northampton
DE LA Wade, Henry, 31
Wadenhoe —
Geoffrey of, 112
Robert Slannard of, 27
Roger the sou of Lawrence of, 32, 90, 92
William the son of William the reaper
of, 27
le Walays, le Waleys, see the Welshman
la Waleche, Eva, Ixxix
Walerand —
Robert, xvi, liv note, Iviii
Walter, 54
William the brother of Walter, 54
Walerand the brother of Matthew, 8
Walkley, William Arnold of, 32
Waltham, the abbot of, 16
Walton-
Richard of, 108
Robert of, 117
Robert Freeman of, 24
Master Simon of, 14 bis, 106
Wandard, Roger, 5
Wansley, Ranulph of, 118
Wardeu, Wardu—
Alice the wife of John, xlix
John, xlix
Robert, xlix
William, see Bodihara
Warin, William, the man of John Basset,
1
Warmington —
. William of, the younger, 37, 115 bis,
116 bis
William the brother of William of, 115,
116
de Warrenne, earl John, 113
Warsop —
John on the moor of, 6S
Nicholas Payne of, 68
Warwick, the earl of, see du Plessis
Wassand, Alan of, 31
de Wasteneys, Sir William, 105
Waterville, Simon of, 40
Watford, Eustace of, 21
le Waunter, Reynold, 72 bis
Wayberd, William, 73
the weaver, Textor, Nicholas, 24
Weedon, Robert of, see Apethorp
Weekley, William the clerk of, 110
Weethley, Wytheleye, Robert of, 120
Weldon —
Lawrence Frankeleyn of, 109
Sir Ralph Basset of, 89
Thomas, his son, 89
JVilliam the son of Robert of, 109
William of the chamber of, 33, 37,
108, 113, 114, 115
Welham, Thomas of, xc
Wellington, Roger of, 9
Wellow, Peter de la Barre of, 62
Wells, William of, see Sibthorpe
Welp, Peter, 106, 107 to-
the Welshman, Walensis, le Walays, le
Waleys — ■
John, 42
Philip, 89 bis
Richard, 23
Robert, the servant of the earl of Win-
chester, 5
William, 61
Wepsted, see Whepstead
Wepston, Gilbert of, 25
West, Stephen, 24
Weston —
James of, see Woolley
Hamo of, 10
Nicholas of, 117
182
INDEX OF PERSONS
Weston —
Osbert the son of Richard the clerk of,
20
the prior of, 47
Bichard of, servant of the abbot of
Waltham, 16
Eichard Griffin of, 40
Richard le Porter of, 78
William of, 25
William the son of Ralph of, 4
William the son of William of, 40
Westminster, the abbot of, 92 bis, 93, 105
bis
Weulaueston, see Wollaston
Weutrer, William, 114
Wliaplode, Quappelade, Geoffrey the par-
son of, 2
Whepstead, Wepsted —
Master Gilbert of, 24
Whitchurch, Album Monasterium, see
Oswestry
Whittington, WilUam of, 120
Whittlesey-
Bartholomew Turkil of, 16
William Turkil of, 16
Wick-
Robert of, Ixxiii, 32, 99, 101, 103
William Wolfrich of, 39
William, see Geddington
Wickford, Stephen of, 73
Willey, Warin of, 10
Willoughby, Philip of, cxxvii
Wilmcote, John of, 120
Wilton, the dean of, Ixxxix
Windsor —
the constable of, 55
Jordan the forester in fee of, 55
Winkburn, Walter of, 61
Winsford, William le Pottere of, Ixviii
Winwick —
Gilbert the son of Eanulf of, Ix
Henry the son of Walter of, Ix
Richard of, 87
William of, lix
Wiot, 1
Wistanswick, William of, 10
Withcote, Reynold of, 7
de la Wodegate, Jordan, 120
Wolfrich, William, see Wick
Wollaston, Weulaueston, Roger of, 73, 74
ter
atte Wood, atte Wode, Peter, xlix
Wolverton, Wolwardinton, Peter of, 120
Woodborough, Hugh of Wotehale of, 65
Woodcock, Walter, 57
Woodford —
Goscelin, atte Bridge of, 70
Brother Nicholas of, 70
Thomas atte Bridge of, 70
Woodham, John Crikes of, 73
Woodhurst, Richard Ulf of, Ix
Woodnewton, Roger the son of Edward
of, 35
Woodstone, Wodeston' —
John of Debenham the sergeant of, 11,
12, 76 bis
Michael his page, 11, 12, 76 bis
the Woodward, Ralph, 37
Woolley, Wolle—
James of Weston of, 20 bis
John, 24
Matthew of, 20
Oliver of, 20
Peter le Franceis of, 20 bis
Ralph of Bustelleys of, 20
Ralph of Ellington of, 20
Reynold King of, 20 bis
Roger of, 20
Roger le Blund of, 20 bis
Thomas Attello of, 20 bis
Wootton—
Roger of, Ixviii
William of, 38, 39
Worcester, the prior of St. Mary, cxviii
Worplesdon, William the son of Clement
of, 56
Wotehale, Hugh of, see Woodborough
Wyberd, William, see Shrawley
Wynne, Robert, 11, 22
Wytenot, Walter, xii note
Wythoud, Geoffrey, see Carlton
Wytheleye, sec Weethley
Wytton, Richard of, 9
Wyville, Robert of, 7
Yaewell, larwell, Robert the son of
Henry of, 113
Yaxley, lakesle, the parson of, 112
le Yepe, Richard, see Ragere
York, Adam of, 61
Yolewe, Reynold, xii note
LA ZoucHE —
Sir Alan, Iv bis, Ivi ter, Iviii bis, Ixix,
57
William, 56
INDEX OF PLACES.
BEDFORDSHIRE.
DuNSTAPLK, cii Weast, Wrest, park, cxvi note
BERKSHIRE.
Eeading, Kading, liii Windsor, Windels', Wyndesor', xlvi bis,
xlvii septies, 55, 117 bis
Wokingham, xlvi, xlvii quater
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
Bkrnwood, Bernwode, xxiii, xxxvi note, Lathbury, lii
lii, 121 tcr, 122 Little Lenford, lii
Boarstall, Borstalle, 122
Buckingham, Buk', lii, 123 Padbury, Padebury, 122
la Burne, 122
Steeple Claydon, Stepel Cleyndon', 122
Deekhide, Derhide, in Boarstall, 122 Stockholt, Stocholt (near Akeley), Ixviii
Hanslope, Hampslap', Hamslap', lii, 39 Stonyford, la Stonyforde, 122
Haversham lii Tueweston, Torueston, Toruestone, 124
Herteleye, in the forest of Bernwood, 121 °^^
Heyburn, Heiburn' (in Leckhampstead), Westbuey, Westbur', Ixviii bis
^^"^ Whaddon, xxx note, cxiv
Gayhuest, lii Whittlevvood, Wyttlewod, lii, 123 bis
CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Abingdon, Abbyngton', 100 Cottenham, Cotenham, 131
Cambridge, Cantebr', Cantebrig', Cante- Denney, Danneye, 130
brigg', Cantebrigge', cxxix, 14, 129 tcr,
130 ter GiRTON, Gretton', 131
CUMBERLAND.
Carlisle, cxxiv Lamonby, cxxiv ter
Inglewood, XXX note, cxvii
184
I^'l)EX OF PLACES
Derby, cxvi
DERBYSHIRE.
ESTINKEK, cxvi HOtC
Dartmoor, cix, cxiii, cxvi note
ExiiooR, cvii 7iote, cxvi note
DEVON.
WiTHERiDGE, hundred, cvii twte
Cranbourne, chase, cix, cxiii
DORSET.
GiiiLiNGHAM, cxviii note
ESSEX.
Abbess' Ing, see Ingatestone
Ardleigh, Ardleg', 69
Barking, Berking', 70
Boxsted, Boxsted', 69
Canfield Countess, see Great Canfield
la Cleye, 70
Dedham, Diham, 69
Eastfield, Estfeld', near Hatfield Broad-
oak, 71
FiNGHiTH, Fingrie, T6 bis
GiNGEs Abbatisse, scc Ingatestone
„ Begine, see Margaretting
Great Canfield, or Canfield Countess,
Kaneueles Comitisse, 71 bis, 72
Great Hallingbury, or John of Burgh's
Hallingbury, Hallingebir' de Burgo,
Hallingebir' I. de Burgo, 71 bis, 72
Hainhault, Hyneholt', forest, 70 bis
Ha'field Broadoak, or Hatfield Regis,
Hadfeld' Regis, Hadfeld', 71 ter, 72
Horsfrith, Horsfrith', 73
Ingatestone, or Ing Abbess', Ginges Ab-
batisse, 73 bis
Kaneueles, see Great Canfield
Kingswood, Kingeswod', 69
Lambourne, Lamburn', 70
Langham, Laingeham, 69
Little Hallingbury , or Hallingbury Neville,
Hallingebir' de Neuill', 71 bis, 12
Margaretting or Queen's Ing, Ginges
Begine, 73
Queen's Ing, see Margaretting
Rettenden, Retindon', 72
Stapleford Abbots, Stapelford' Abbatis,
70
Walthaji, XXV note
Wanstead, Wensted', 70
Woodford, Wodeford', 70, 71
Woodham Ferrers, Wodeham Ferr', 72
Woodham, Wodeham park, 72, 73
Writtle, Writer, 73 bis, 74
Aylburton, Aylbriston', xii
Alvington, Aluynton', xii
Blakeney, Blakeneye, xii
Dean, Dene, forest of, xii, xxiii, xxxvii
note
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Etloe, Ettelou, xii
Gloucester, Gloucestr', Iv note
Kemerton, Kenemerton', cxxix
Lydney, Lydeney, xii
I
I
INDEX OF PLACES
185
Alton, Aulton', 39
BiNSTED, Benstede, 39
Brokenhurst, xxvi fiote
DocKENFiELD, Dakkenfeld', Ixxxvii
HAMPSHIRE.
New Forest, xxv note
PoRTSEA, Fortes', Ixxxiv
Winchester, Wynton', 55, 58
HUNTINGDONSHIRE.
Abbots Ripton, Reptona Abbatis, Ripton'
Abbatis, Riptona Abbatis, Rypton'
Abbatis, xtii note, Ixii ter, 13, 15,
18 bis, 19, 23, 75, 79
Alconbury, Alcumbir', Alcunbiry, Alkes-
inbir', 12, 18 bis, 19, 23 bis, 24 bis,
25, 74, 75 bis, 77
Alconbury Weston, see Weston
Alkesinbir', see Alconbury
Beechamstead, Bichamsted (in the parish
of Great Staughton), 22
Bokesworth, see Buckworth
Brampton, Brampt', Brampton', Bramp-
tona, Ixiii, 19, 21 bis, 23 quater, 24,
25, 74 ter, 75
Buckden, Bukeden', 23
Buckworth, Bokesworth', Bukiswrth', 24,
75
Bukeden', see Buckden
Caldecot, Caldecot', Caudecot', 7G bis
DiDDiNGTON, Dudington', 22
Dilhngton, Dillington', Dylincton', 21,
23, 74
Dudington', see Diddington
Ellington, Edelinton', Elington', Elin-
ton', Elyngton', Elynton', Etlynton',
19 ter, 21, 22, 23 bis, 25, 74 bis
Ellington Thorpe, Elinton' Sibetorp, 77
bis
Etlynton', see Ellington
FoLKswoETH, Folkcsworth', Folkeswrth',
12, 76 bis
GoDMANCHESTER, Gomecestr', Gumme-
cestr', 15, 23
Grafham, Graffham, Grafha', 21, 22, 23,
74
Great Stukeley, Magna Stiuecl', Magna
Stiuecle, xlii note, Ixii bis, 12, 13, 15,
19, 23, 75, 77 bis, 78, 79
Guraniecestr', see Godmanchester
Hartford, Hereford', Herefordia, Herf
Herford', xlii note, Ixii ter, 13, 15, 19,
23 bis, 24 bis, 26, 75 ter, 77, 78, 79
Hold, see Holme
Holme, 76 ter
Hold (probably error for Holm), 77
Houghton, Houton', 20
Humberdale, Humberdal', 17 bis
Hund', see Huntingdon
Huntingdon, Hund', Hunt', Hunted',
Huntedon', Huntidon', Huntind', Hun-
tingdon', Huntyndone, 1-lii, 12, 13, 14
bis, nbis, 21 bis, 23, 25 bis, 40, 41, 74,
75 bis, 78 bis, 129 ter
Hurstingstone, Hyrstingston', hundred of,
19 bis
Iakel'.
Yaxley
KiMBOLTON, Kenebauton, 4 bis
King's Delph, Kingesdelf (near Whittle-
sey), 16
King's Ripton, Reptona Regis, Riptona
Regis, Rypton' Regis, xlii note, Ixii ter,
13, 15, 19, 23, 26, 75, 78, 79
Limining', see Lymage
Little Raveley, Rauel' Parua, Ixiii note, 18
Little Stukeley, Parua Stiuecl', Parua
Stiuecle, Parua Stiuekele, xhi note,
Ixii, Ixiii, 12, 15, 19, 25, 77 bis
Lymage, Limining', 22 bis
Magna Stiuecl', see Great Stukeley
Morborne, Morbur', Morburn', 12, 76 bis
NoRMANCROss, Normancros, hundred of, 76
Offoed, Offord', 15, see also Offord Cluney
and Offord Darcy, 15
Offord Cluney, Oiford' Cluny, 23 bis
Offord Darcy, Offord' Denays, 23
Pacston', see Paxton
Parua Stiuecl', see Little Stukeley
186
INDEX OF PLACES
UJJNTIN GBONSB.IB.'E— continued.
Paxton, Pacston', 15
Perry, Pyrie, 22
Rauel' Parua, see Little Eaveley
Eipton' Abbatis, see Abbots Eipton
„ Regis „ Kings „
St. Neots, Uilla sancti Neti, 78
Sapley, Sappel', Sappele, Sappell', Sapple,
xli '>iotes, xlii note, 15, 17, 19, 23, 26,
75 qtiater, 76, 78
Sibthorp, see Ellington Thorpe
Stangate, 79
Stilton, Stilton', 12, 76 ter
Tolesldnd', see Toseland
Toseland, Toleslund', 15
Valton', see Walton
Waberg', see Weybridge
Walton, Valton, 18
Warboys, Wardeboys, 17
Wauberge, see Weybridge
Wennington, Weninton', Ixiii note, 18 bis
West Fen, Westfen', 16
Weston (or Alconbury Weston), Alcunbir*
Weston', Alcunbiry Weston, Weston',
12, 77 bis
Weybridge, Waberg', Wauberg', Wau-
berge, xli note, xci, 19, 20, 21, 23 ter,
24, 25 quater, 74, 75 ter, 77 bis, 78
Wolfle, see WooUey
Wolle, see Woolley
Woolley, Wolfle, Wlfley, Wolle, Ixiii note,
19 bis, 23, 24, 74, 75
Yaxley, lakel', Ixiii, 11, 12, 76 ter
Lancaster, cxi, cxiii
Lonsdale, cxi
Mersey, river, cxii, cxiii
LANCASHIRE,
EiBBLE, river, cxii, cxiii
Wiresdale, cxi
Athelakeston', see AUexton
Allexton, Athelakeston', 49, 50 bis, 52, 53
Cnossinton', see Knossington
Knossington, Cnossinton', 7, 53 bis
OwsTON, Osolueston', 53
LEICESTERSHIRE.
Riseborough, Riseberwe, 45
Sauvey, Sawueye, 53 bis
Skeffington, Skeftinton', 7
Withcote, Wythkoc, 53
DONINGTON, Cvii
GOSBERCHURCH, Cvii
QUADRING, cvii
Lincoln, cv bis
LINCOLNSHIRE.
Ravensdale, cxxvii note
Stamford, Stanfordia, Stanfort, xvii bis,
xviii ter, xciv, 13, 51 ter, 78
Surfleet, cvii
MIDDLESEX.
Staines, eviii
INDEX OF PLACES
187
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.
Abkemanntslep, 113
Acwellsike, Acwellesik', Acwellsyk', 96,
97, 108, 109, 110
Addington, Adington', 105
Aldwinkle, Audewincl', Audewincle, 27,
88, 108 ter
Aldnatheshawe, 94
Ashby, Asseby, 4
Aybriotheshawe, 102
Ayscros (under Desborough wood), 111
Barnack, Bernak', Bernek', 2 bis
Barnegrave, 93
Bassethawe, 113
Beanfield, lawn of, 28, 31, 36, 79, 80 his,
87, 102, 111, 113
Benefield, Banifeld, Benefeld', Benifeld',
Benefeud', Benyfeld, 28, 31, 36, 79, 80,
81, 87, 90 bis, 101
Bodington, Botintun', 5
Boughton, Bouhton', Bouton', Buton',
Button', 28, 82, 88, 89 ter, 115
Brampton, 35, 90, 103, 111, 113, 114
Braybrooke, Braybroc, 88 bis. 111
Brigstock, Bricstock', Bricstok', Bricstoke,
Brikestok', Brixstok', Brixtok', Bry-
stok', xlv, Ixxxv, 27, 28, 29 bis, 30 bis,
31, 34 bis, 37, 80, 81, 82 bis, 83 ter, 84,
85 bis, 86 quater, 88 ter, 90 bis, 92, 93
sexies, 94, 95, 97 ter, 98, 99 bis, 100 ter,
102, 104, 105, 106 giiater, 107, 108, 109
quater, 110, 111 bis, 113, 115, 116 bis
Brixworth, Brickelesworthe, 90 bis
Brockhall, Brechol', 5
Buckby, Buckebi, 5
Bulax, Bolax, Bulex, Ixxxv, 38, 39, 92,
102, 105
Carlton, Carelton', Carleton', 28, 31, 80
ter, 87 ter, 95
Cat's Head, Cattisheuyd, 97
Churchfield, Chirchefeld, 100 bis
Clendon, see Glendon
Cliffe, Cliue, Clyue, xxiii, xxxvi-vii, xlv
note, lii, Ixxv, Ixxxiv, Ixxxv quinquies,
112 bis
Corby, Coreby, 28, 29, 35, 80 ter, 81, 83
bis, 87 bis, 108, 109
Corby hundred, 81
Cottingham, Coddinham, Cotingha',
Cotingham, 31 bis, 87 ter
Cotton, Cotene, Keten', 35, 53
Cranford, Craneford', 107
Denrode, 97
Denshanger, Deneshangere, 123
Desborough, Deresburg', Deseburg', 34,
35, 88 bis, 98 bis, 99, 111 ter, 113
Driffield, Driffeld', 104
Duddington, Dudigton', Ixxxv
East Pdry, Estpeir, 124
Exhawe, Ixxxv
Farming bailiwick (Lat. firma), 28, 32,
86, 89, 92, 99, 104, 105, 109
Faxton, Faxton', 89 bis
Gatesley, Gatesle, 92, 98
Geddington, Geytinton', Geytintone,
Geytington', Geytynton', xlv, 28, 37,
82 bis, 86 bis, 89 bis, 102, 109, 110,
113, 115 quinquies, 116 bis
Glarthorn, 101
Glendon, Clendon, 98, 99
Grafton, Grafton', 97 bis, 104, 106, 107
Great Oakley, Acle, Acle Magna, Magna
Acle, 28, 29, 31, 80 bis, 81, 83 bis, 87
bis. See also Oakley
Gretton, Gretton', 35
Handley parf (Towcester), Hanle, Han-
leye, 123, 124 bis
Hannington, Haninton', 89 bis
Harleruding, Harleruding', 39
Harrington, Hetherinton', 88 bis
Hassokes, Hassok', in Brigstock park, 34,
96, 98, 103, 106
Hazelborough, Haselberwe, Haselburwe,
12 bis, 124
Heck', in Sudborough, 96
Holcot, Holokot', Holokote, 90 bis
Ierdel', see Yardley
Irtlingborough, Irtlingburg', 105
Islip, Islep, Islep', Islepp', Yslep, 97 bis,
105, 108 bis
Keten, see Cotton
Langley, Langel', 110
Lapworth Cross, 109
Lilford, Lilleford, 112
Little Newton, Parua Neuton', 115
Little Oakley, Parua Acle, 29, 83 bis, 86
bis. See also Oakley
Littlehawe, Lutelhawe, Lytlehawe, 31,
87 ter
Loatland, Loutelond', Loutelund', 88 bis
Lockhawe, Lochawe, 90
188
INDEX or PLACES
NORTHAMPTONSHIIIE— coH<i?u/ed.
Lowick, Luffwtc, Lufwyc, 29, 31, 84, 86
bis, 108 ter
Lyveden, Liueden', Liuedene, Lyueden',
Lyuenden', 27. 29, 30, 31, 84, 86 bis, 88,
93, 100 bis, lU ter
Maidfoed, Maideford', 4 bis
Mawsley, Malesle, 89
Merehecke, 103
Micklewood, Miclewode, Mikelwod', 34, 99
Morehay, Morhey, Ixxv, Ixxxv, 112
Moulton, Moleton', 40
Nassington, Nassinton', 3 bis
Newbottle, Neubotle, Neubottle, 98, 99
Newton, Neueton', Neuton', Neutone,
Neweton', 3, 29, 83 bis, 86 bis
Northampton, Norhampt', Norhamt', Ixv,
1, 8, 5, 16 bis, 20, 21, 22, 28, 80, 81,
32, 33, 34 ter, 35 bis, 40 bis, 81, 82, 84,
90, 96 bis, 107, 116
Oakley, Acle, 29, 37, 82, 87, 109, 110
Old, Walda, 89 bis
Osbern Riding, 116
Oundle, Undele, 112
PiLTON, Pilketon', Pylketon', 27, 114 bis
Pipewell, Pipeweir, Pypewelle, 81, 88
Pitsford, Pyceford, Pyzeford, 90 ter
Puxley, Pokesle, 124
Pytchley, Pyhtesl', 89
EisiNG Bridge, le Risenebrige, 86, 93
Rockingham, Roginham, Rokenham,
Rokingeh', Rokingh', Rokingha', Rok-
ingham, Rokingeham, xxiii, xli, Ixi, 4
bis, 7, 27, 30, 31, 33, 35 bis, 86, 38, 39,
83, 86, 87, 88, 91 ter, 92 quinquies, 93
bis, 95, 98 ter, 104 quater, 105, 106,
108, 111, 112, 113
Rockingham castle, Ixi
le Rokes, 96
Rothwell, Rowell', Rote well', 28, 34 ter,
81, 98 ter, 99 quater
Rushton, Risston', Riston', Ruston', 31,
87 bis, 98 bis, 99, 110, 113
Salcey, Salcet', xxiii, xlv note, lii, 79
Shrob, Shrobb', 124
Siberton, Siberton', 3
la Siche (near Puxley), 124
Silverstone, Seluestone, Ixviii, 124
Slipton, Slipton', 97, 105
Snorscomb, Snokescumb', 5
Springshedge, Springeshedg', 110
Stanion, Stanevn', Stanerne, Ixxiv, 28 bis
37 bis, 79 bis, 82, 86 bis, 90, 100 ter,
102, 106, 107, 109
Stanwick, Stanwygge, 39
Stockfold Hill (in Brigstock park), 115
Stodfold hundred, Stodfold', 81
Stoke, Stok', 28, 35, 80 ter, 81, 90 bis,
103, 113, 114 bis
Sudborough, Suburg', Sutburg, Sutburg',
Sutburgus, 29, 31, 84 se^Aies, 85 bis, 86
bis, 88, 90 bis, 94 ter, 96, 97 quater, 98,
106, 107, 108 bis
Sulehay, Syuele, Ixxxv
Swayteshall, Swayteshal', 36
Syresham, Siresham, 124
Syuele, see Sulehay
Sywell, Syweir, 90 bis
Themanneshedge, 110, 111
Thornhawe, 111
Thorpe Underwood, Thorp, Thorp sub
bosco, Torp sub bosco, Torp Under-
wode, 86, 88 bis, 98, 99, 111
Thrapston, Trapeston', Trapston', 84, 89
Tot's Head, Tostisheuyd, 97 *3
Tottenhoe, Tothou, Ixxxv
Twywell, Twiwell', 96, 105
Undele, see Oundle
Upthorp, 106 bis
Wadenhoe, Wadeho, Wadenho, 27 ter, 88,
114 bis
Wakefield, Wakefeld', Wakefeud', 123,
124 bis
Walda, see Old
Walgrave, Waldegraua, Waldegraue, 89
qjoatcr
Warkton, Verketon', 89 bis
Weekley, Vycle, Wide, Wycle, 89 bis, 115
Weldon, Welledon', 100 ter
Westhay, Westhey, Ixxxv
Westleigh, Westle (in the forest of Ged-
dington), 110, 111
Whittlewood, Witlewode, xxiii, xlv, lii, 107
Wilbarston, Wilb', Wilberdeston', Wyber-
deston', 35, 103 bis
Winninge, 114
Wittering, Witering', 2
Woodford, Wodeford', 105 quater
Wrennemere, 100
Wydehawe, 80
Yahdley, lerdel', 124
INDEX OF PLACES
189
Alne, river, xx 7iote
Coquet, river, xx note
NORTHUMBERLAND.
Newcastle, xx note, cxxiii note
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.
Annesley, Anneslay, 119
Arnold, Arnale, 65
Bakestanehowe, 119
Blidworth, Blitheworth', 119
Brown, Brunne, wood, 119
Bulwell, Bulewell', Bulwell', G8, G9 bis
Calverton, Cahierton', xxx, xxxii, 68 bis,
69
Clipston, 62
Conyngeswater, Conyngeswath', 118, 119
Dover Beck, Douerbek', 119 bis
Edwinstowe, Eden', xxx, 68, 69 bis
Hakdwick, Herdewyk, 119
Haytrebridge, Haytrebrigg', 119
KiRKBY, Kyrkcby, 119 bis
Leen, Lene, river, 119
Lenten, Lenton', 119
Linby, Lindeby, Lyndeby, xxx, 68, 69 bis,
119 bis
Littelhawe, 119 bis
Mameshead, Mammesheued, 119
Mansfield, Mam', Mamesfeld, Maunes-
feld', XXX, 68 bis, 69
Meden, Medine, river, 119
Milneford, Mulneford', 119
Nonneker, 119
Nottingham, Notingh', Notingham, No-
tyngham, xxxi, Iviii, cxxv, 61, 62, 66,
67, 118, 119 sei)tics
Pleasley, Pleseley, 119
Eollesden, cxxv
Sherwood, Schirewod', Shirewod', Sliire-
wode, XX, xxx, xxxi, xxxii, xxxiv bis,
XXXV, xxxvi, Ivii, 61, 62, 65, 66 bis, 118
Stolegate, 119
Tarlesty, 119
Throwys (in Arnold wood), 65
Thweycehilli, 65
Trent, Trente, river, 119 quater
Warsop, Warsop', 119
Wellow, Welhawe, Wellehawe, 62 bis,
119 quater
Oxford, liii
OXFORDSHIRE.
Whichwood, xxiii
RUTLAND
Ayston, Asteneston', Aston, 44, 117
Bernardish',
Barnsdale, Barnardehul,
xciv, 53
Beaumont, Beaumond, Beaumund, 1, 52
Bisbrooke, Bidisbroe, xcv bis
Braunston, Branceston', Braunceston'.
Braunteston', 52, 53, 117 bis
Bridge Casterton, Briggechasterton', 51
Broadgate, Brodegate, 117
Brooke, 117 bis
Burley, Burle, xciv, xcv
Caldecott, Caldecote,
117
Kaldechot, xciv,
Calkeslegh', in Leighfield, xlix
Childeslund', xcv
Coptre, Copptre, 53 bis
LA Dale, in Ridlington park, 48, 50
Depedale, Depedal', 48, 50
Eaststoke, Estok', 44
Eastwood, outside Uppingham, 49, 50
Egleton, Egildun', Egiltun', xciv, xcv, 7
Egoluestun', xcv
Empingbam, 51, 52, 53
Esschelund, 48
Finchford, Fincheford, 53
Flitteris, Flitris, 53
190
INDEX OF PLACES
HUTIjAN D—co7itinued.
Great Casteeton, Magna Castertou',
Magna Caterston', xcv, 53
Gunthorpe, Gunetorp', xcv
Gwash, Wass, river, 53 bis
Harewin's Mill, 53
Langham, 53
Leighfield, Leyefeld', xlix, 1
Liddington, Lidenton', Lidingtun', xciv,
117 bis
Little Eye, Litele, Litilhe, Lytele, river,
xciv, 53, 117
Magna Casterton, see Great Casterton
Manton, Manetun', xcv bis
Oakham, Ocham, Okham, liii note, Iv
note, 4, 6, 7, 43, 45, 47, 52, 117
Overton, Ouertun', 53
Prestgrave, 7
Preston, Prestun', xcv
Kedgate, Redegate, 117
Eidlington, Eidelington', Pddelinton', 44,
47, 48, 52, 117
Seaton, Seyton', 49
Stanbridge, Staubrigge, Stanbrigghe, 53
bis
Stoke, Stok', 48
Stokewood, Stokewod', 47
Stumpsden, Stubbedeston', Stumpede-
stone, 53, 117
TwiFOKD, Thuiford, 53 bis, xcv
Uppingham, Uppenha', Wppingham, xlix,
xciv, 44, 117
Wardlet, Wardele, 44
Wass, see Gwash
Welland, river, Weland'. xxx, xxxvii,
xciv, 53 ter
Whitchley, TNTiicchele, 117
Wing, Wenge, xcv
Wisp, 53
SALOP.
Arleston, Ardulueston', 9
Blymhill, Blemenhuir, 10
Brewood, Brewode, Browuda, 9, 10
Bridgeuorth, or Bridge, Bruges, 8 bis
Bulridge, Bulregg', 10
Claverlet, Clauerlegli', 9
Cleobury, Cleybur', cxxiv
Kenley, Kenelegh', 9
Ketley, Keteleg', 9
Lawlet, Laueleg', 9
Longnor, Longenhore, cxxiv
Ehiston, Eintheton , 8
S.alopesbury, see Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury, Sallopp', Salopesbury, cxxiv,
8
Stirlegh', see Sturchley
Stretton, Stratton', 8
Sturchley, Stirlegh', 9
Sutton, Sutton', 10
Turrewode, 10
Vrfeld, see Worfield
Wellington, Welinton', 9
Weston, Westan', 10
Withington, Withinton, cxxiv
Worfield, Vrfeld, 9
SOMERSET.
Cheddar, Ceddre, Ixvii
Cnolle, see Knole
Curry Mallet, Cormalet, cxvii note
ExMOOE, Exemore, xvi note, cxvii, 128
Ilchester, luelcestr', 42
KiLMiNGTON, Culmeton', Ixviii
Kingsdon, Kingesdon', 41, 42 bis
Knole, Cnolle, 41, 42
Laewod', Ixvii
Loxton, Lokeston', Ixviii
Mendip, Menedepe, Forest, xvii note,121 bis
Nerroche, xvi note
North Pedderton, xvi note
Petteneye, see Pitney
Pitney, Petteneye, 41, 42 bis
INDEX OF PLACES
191
SOMERSET— con^Mizfcrf.
RowBERROw, Kuberg', Ixviii
SoMERTON, Sumerton', Sumertun', sii, sx,
cxvii note, 41 bis, 42 his
Wearne, Werne, 42
Wells, evii note
Winsford, Wineforcl, Ixviii
Alston, Alureston, cxxiv
Haledthton, see Haughton
Haughton, Haleuthton, cxxiv
Hulle, Hill (near High Offley), cxxiv
KiNVER, cxviii
STAFFORDSHIRE.
Offley, Offileg, cxxiv
Shebdon, Schebbedon (in High Offley),
cxxiv
TuNSTALL (near Adbaston), cxxiv
Benhall, cxxix iiote
SUFFOLK.
Burgate, cxxix
SURREY.
Albdry, Aldebyr', 58
Bagshot, xlvii quater
Brodesford bridge, 61
Blackwater, river, 64 note, 4
Blackwater bridge, 61 note, 5
Chertsey, Certes', 61
Copledecroche, 61
Guild Down, Guldedoune, hill, 118
Guild Down, Geldedon', street, 118
Guildford, xlvi, xlvii quater, Ixvii, 54 ter,
58, 59, 60, 61 ter
Ham, Haume, Hammes, 61 his
Herpesford, Herpesford', Herepesford'
61 his
Hog's Back, 61 note 2
Mallresot, 61
Shere, exxvi
Thames, Tamisia, river, 61
Wanborough, xlvii
Wey, Waie, Waye, river, 61, 118 bis
Woodbrook, Wodebrok', 61 bis
SUSSEX.
St. Leonard's Forest, cix note
Abbot's Salford, Salteforde Abbatis, 121
Alcester, Alcestr', Alicestr', 120, 121
Arrow, Arewe, river, 120 ter, 121
Avon, Auene, river, 120 bis
Caldwell, Caldewelle, 120
Coughton, Cocton', 120
Foxhunt Lydiate, Foxhuntelidgate, 121
Greater Salford, Maior Saltford', 121
Honyhamsterte, 120
WARWICK.
Ipsley, Hippesleye, Ippele, Ixxxii, 120 ter
Marston Prior, Merston, 5
Sambourn, Samburne, Somburne, Ixxxii,
120
Smethehedleye, 120 bis
Studley, Stodleye, 120 bis
Tardebigge, 121
Tokenock, oak called, 120
Weethley, Wytheleye, 121
Wichibrook, Wychibrock', 121
192
INDEX OF PLACES
Appleby, cxxviii note.
Burton, cxiv
Hilton, cxiv
WESTMORELAND.
QuiNNEFELD, scc Whinfell
Sandfoed, cxiv
Waecop, cxiv
, Wninfell, Quinnefeld',cxvii
WILTSHIRE.
Braden Forest, xxvi note
Bremhill, Bromhal', Ixxxix
Chippenham, Cippham, xxxv note
Clarendon, li
Lacock, Lacok', Ixxxix
Marlborough, cxxxii note
Mere, cxviii
Eajisbury, Eemmesbery, cxxxii note
Wilton, liv note
WORCESTERSHIRE.
Abbots Lench, Abbelynch, Ixxix
Atch Lench, Attelench, Ixxxiv
Banbury Chamber (in Hanley castle) exi
Barnsley, Barndeleye, Ixxxi
Bromsgrove, Bremesgraue, Brymesgraue,
Ixxxii, 121
Chaddesley, Schaldesle, Ixxx
Church Lench, Scherchelench, Ixxix
Cutbaldesheye, Ixxx
Eymore, cxviii
Feckenham, Fecham, 119
Hamme, Ixxxii
Hanley, Handley, castle, cxi
Lench Eandolf, see Rous Lench
Malvern, cix, ex, cxi, cxiii
Oddingley, Oddyngele, Ixxxii
Perry, Pyrie, Ixxxii
Redditch, Rededich, 120 his
Rous Lench, or Lench Eandolf, Lenche
Randholf, Ixxxiii
Rushock, Rossehok', Ixxxi
Bestayne, a forest appurtenant to
Knaresborough castle, ex
Ercedekneclos, xxi
Galtres Forest, xxi note, xxx
Hanteewayth', xxi
Huby, Hoby, xxx note
Knaresborough, Knaresburgh', ex
YORKSHIRE.
Middleham, cxvi note
Pickering, ix, xi, cxi
Seamer, xi
Sheriff Hutton. cxvi
Sutton in Holderness, cxxxi
York, Ebor', cxxviii, 13, 61, 65
Selben Society»
FOUNDED 1887.
To Encourage the Study and Advance the Knowledge of the History of English Law.
I>atron6 :
HIS MAJESTY THE KING.
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CORNWALL AND YORK.
IPreslOent:
The Right Honourable Lord Macnaghten,
lUlcespreslOentB :
The Hon. Mr. Justice Stirling. Sir Howard Elphinstone, Bart.
Council :
Mr. J. T. Atkinson. i Sir H. C. M. Lyte, K.C.B,
The Hon. Mr. Justice Bruce. t Mr. A. Stuart Moore.
Mr. a. T. Carter. Mr. R. Pennington.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Channell. Sir F. Pollock, Bart.
Mr. T. Cyprian Williams. i Mr. W. C. Renshaw, K.C
Mr. Henry Attlee.
Mr. Chadwyck Healey, K.C.
Mr. F. a. Inderwick, K.C.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Joyce.
The Hon. Mr. Justice Wills.
Xlterarg Director : Professor F. W. Maitland (Downing College, Cambridge
au&itors: Mr. J. W. Clark, Mr. Hubert Hall.
Ibonorarg Secretary: Mr. B. Fossett Lock (n New Square, Lincoln's Inn, London).
Ibonorars C^reasurer : Mr. Francis K. Munton (95A Queen Victoria Street, London).
Annual Subscription . . . ONE GUINEA.
Persons becoming Members may subscribe for all or any of the preceding years of the
Society's existence, and in that case will be entitled to a copy of the publications issued for each
year for which they may subscribe.
Non-members can obtain the Society's publications from
Mr. B. QuARiTCH, 15 Piccadilly, London, W,
* In America, ^5.18
Z
194
PUBLICATIONS
The Volumes already published are
Vol. I., for 1887. SELECT PLEAS OF THE CROWN. Vol. I., a.d. 1200 1225. Edited, from tl
Rolls preserved in H.M. Public Record Office, by F. W. Maitland, Downing Professor of the Lav
of England, Cambridge. With Facsimile. Crown 4to. Price to non-members, 28^-.
A selection from the earliest records of English criminal justice. These criminal cases throw much
light on the manners and customs of the people ; they illustrate the working of the ordeals of fire and
water, and show how a substitute was gradually found in trial by jury. They are mostly cases of felony,
but care has been taken to collect whatever throws light on the procedure of the Local Courts, the
system of frankpledge, the organisation of counties and boroughs for judicial purposes, &c., &c.
Vol. IL, for 1888. SELECT PLEAS IN MANORIAL and other SEIGNORIAL COURTS. Vol. I.,
Henry III. and Edward I. Edited, from the earliest Rolls extant, by Professor F. W. Maitland.
Crown 4to. Price to non-members, 28^'.
A selection from the oldest manorial records. These embrace the whole legal life and much of ,
the social life of a mediaeval village ; including land held on villain tenure, services, rights of common,
personal actions for debt and trespass, leet and criminal jurisdiction, misdemeanours, the system of local
police and frankpledge, trading communities, and the law merchant as administered at a great fair.
The selections are from the rolls of the manors of the Abbey of Bee in 13 counties, of the honour of
the Abbot of Ramsay in seven counties, his fair of S. Ives, and his manors in Huntingdon, and of other
manors in Berks and Wilts,
Vol. III., for 1889. SELECT CIVIL PLEAS. Vol. I., a.d. 1200-1203. Edited, from the Plea Rolls
preserved in H.M. Public Record Office, by W. Paley Baildon, F.S.A., of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister-
at-Law. Crown 4to. Price to non-members, 28^'.
A selection from the earliest records of civil litigation. These consist largely of actions relating to
land, either directly, as in the various assizes, writs of right and of entry, actions for dower, &c. ; or
indirectly, as for feudal services, tolls, franchises, rivers, &c. Others do not concern land. The extracts
illustrate the gradual evolution of the different forms of action, both real and personal.
Vol. IV., for 1890. THE COURT BARON : Precedents of Pleading in Manorial and other
Local Courts. Edited, from MSS. of the 14th and 15th Centuries, by Professor F. W. Maitland
and W. Paley Baildon. Crown 410. Price to non-members, 2%s.
This volume contains four treatises on the business of Manorial and other Local Courts, with
precedents ; and throws light on the procedure and pleading. To these are added some very
interesting extracts from the rolls of the Court of the Bishop of Ely at Littleport in the Fens
(principally during the reign of Edward II.).
Vol. v., for 1891. THE LEET JURISDICTION in the CITY OF NORWICH. Edited, from the
Leet Rolls of the 13th and 14th Centuries in the possession of the Corporation, by the Rev. W.
Hudson, M.A, With Map and Facsimile. Crown 4to, Price to non-members, 2%s.
This volume deals with mediaeval municipal life ; the municipal development of a chartered borough
with leet jurisdiction, the early working of the frankpledge system ; and generally with the judicial, com
mercial, and social arrangements of one of the largest cities of the kingdom at the close of the 13th
century.
Vol. VI., for 1892. SELECT PLEAS OF the COURT OF ADMIRALTY. Vol. I., A.D. 1390-1404 anc
a.d. i 527-1 545. Edited by REGINALD G. Marsden, of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-Law. Witl
Facsimile of the ancient Seal of the Court of Admiralty. Crown 4to. Price to non-members, 2%s.
The business of the High Court of Admiralty was very considerable during the reigns of Henr
VIII., of Elizabeth, and of the Stuarts, and played an important part in the development of commercia
law. There is in the Records much curious information upon trade, navigation, and shipping, and tin
claims of the King of England to a lordship over the stnTOunding seas.
195
Vol. VII. for 1893. The MIRROR of JUSTICES. Edited, from the unique MS. at Corpus Christi
College, Cambridge, with a new translation, by VV. J. Whittaker, M.A. of Trinity College, Cam-
bridge, and Professor F. W. Maitland. Crown 4to. Price to non-members, 28^-.
The old editions of this curious work of the i3lh century are corrupt, and in many places un-
intelligible.
Vol. VIII., for 1894. SELECT PASSAGES frOxM BRACTON and AZO. Edited by Professor
F. W. Maitland. Crown 410. Price to non-members, 28^-.
This volume contains those portions of Bracton's work in which he follows Azo printed in
parallel columns with Azo's text. The use made by Bracton of the works of Bernard of Pavia and the
canonist Tancred is also illustrated.
Vol. IX., for 1895. SELECT CASES FROM the CORONERS' ROLLS, a.d. 1265 1413. Edited, from
the Rolls preserved in H.M. Public Record Office, by Charles Gross, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of
History, Harvard University. Crown 4to. Price to non-members, 28^.
The functions of the coroner were more important in this period than in modern times. The
volume supplies interesting information on the history of the office of coroner, on the early develop-
ment of the jury, on the jurisdiction of the hundred and county courts, on the collective responsibilities
of neighbouring townships, on proof of Englishry, and on the first beginnings of elective representation.
Vol. X., for 1896. SELECT CASES in CHANCERY, a.d. 1364-1471- Edited, from the Rolls preserved
in H.M. Public Record Office, by W. Paley Baildon, F.S.A. Crown 4to. Price to non-members, 28^.
These valuable records, of which few have hitherto been printed, throw new light on the connexion
of the Chancery with the Council, and the gradual separation of the two ; on the early jurisdiction of
the Chancery, its forms and procedure, and on the development of the principles of Equity.
Vol. XL, for 1897. SELECT PLEAS of the COURT of ADMIRALTY. Vol. II., a.d. 1547-
1602. Edited by Reginald G. Marsden, of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-Law. Crown 4to.
Price to non-members, 28j'.
This volume is in continuation of Vol. VI., and covers the reigns of Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth :
the period of the greatest importance of the Admiralty Court, and of its most distinguished judges. Dr.
David Lewes and Sir Julius Caesar. It illustrates the foreign policy of Elizabeth, the Armada, and
other matters and documents of general historical interest. The introduction treats of the Court from
the 14th to the 18th century, with references to some State Papers not hitherto printed or calendared.
Vol. XII., for i8q8. SELECT CASES in the COURT of REQUESTS, a.d. 1497-1569- Edited,
from the Rolls preserved in H.M. Public Record Office, by I. S. Leadam, of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister-
at-Law. Crown 4to. Price to non-members, 28i-.
The origin and history of this Court have not hitherto been fully investigated. Established by
Henry VII. under the Lord Privy Seal, as a Court of Poor Men's Causes, and developed by Cardinal
Wolsey, its valuable records illustrate forcibly the struggle between the Council and the Common Law
Courts ; the development of equity procedure and principle outside the Chancery ; the social effect of
the dissolution of the monasteries and the raising of rents ; the tenure of land ; the rights of copyholders ;
the power of guilds ; and many other matters of legal and social interest. The introduction covers the
whole history of the Court to its gradual extinction under the Commonwealth and Restoration.
Vol. XIII., for 1899. SELECT PLEAS of the FORESTS, edited from the Forest Eyre Rolls and
other MSS. in H.M. Record Office and British Museum, by G. J. Turner, M.A., of Lmcoln's
Inn, Barrister-at-Law. Crown 4to. Price to non-members, 28^-.
The Forest Plea Rolls are very interesting and little known. They begin as early as the reign of
King John, and consist of perambulations, claims, presentments and other proceedings (such as trials
for poaching and trespass in the Forests) before the Justices in Eyre of the Forests. The present
volume deals with the adminstration of the Forests in the 13th century, their judges, officers, courts,
procedure, &c. ; the beasts of the forest, chase and warren ; the hounds and instruments of hunting ;
the grievances of the inhabitants, benefit of clergy, and other important matters.
Vol. XIV., for 1900. BEVERLEY TOWN DOCUMENTS, edited by ARTHUR F. Leach, Barrister-at-
Law, Assistant Charity Commissioner. Crown 4to. Price to non-inembers, 28.y.
These records illustrate the development of Municipal Government in the 14th and 15th centuries ;
the communal ownership of land ; the relations between the town and the trade guilds ; and other
interesting matters.
z 2
19G
The VoliDJies in course of prepa7'ation are
Vol. XV. for 1901. Selections from the Plea Rolls* of the Jewish Exchequer, a.d. 1244-1272. By
J.M, RiGG.
These Rolls illustrate a department of the history of English law which is at present very dark.
The Justiciarii Judteorum, who had the status of Barons of the Exchequer, exercised jurisdiction in
all affairs relating to the Jewish community, namely, in the accounts of the revenue, in pleas upon
contracts made between Jews and Christians, and in causes or questions touching their land or goods,
or their tallages, fines, and forfeitures.
Vol. XVI. for 1902. Select Pleas of the Court of Star Chamber. Vol. I. By I. S. Lhadam.
The Records* of this Court consist of Bills, Answers, Depositions, and other proceedings. They
are of great importance as illustrating both public and private history. None of the Orders or Decrees
are known to exist. In the Report of a Committee of the House of Lords made in 17 19, it is stated
that "the last notice of them that could be got was that they were in a house in St. Bartholomew's
Close, London."
Vol. XVII. for 1903. The Year Books of Edward II. A revised text and translation. Vol. I. By
Professor F. W. Maitland and W. Paley Baildon.
It is proposed to continue these Year Books in alternate years — 1905, 1907, &c.
Vol. XVIII. for 1904. Select Pleas of the Court of Star Chainiber. Vol. II. By I. S. Leadam.
Vol. XX. for 1906. Glanvill. A New Edition. By I. S. Leadam.
The follozving are among the Works contemplated for future vohnnes.
Vol. . Select Pleas in Manorial and other Seignorial Courts, Vol. II.
Vol. . Select Civil Pleas, Vol. II.
Vol. . Conveyancing Precedents of the Thirteenth Century.
There are several interesting sets hitherto unprinted. The mercantile transactions are very curious.
Vol. . The History of the Register of Original Writs :
* For further information on these Records, see the vahiable and learned " Guide to the Principal Classes of Documents preserved
in the Public Record Ofi5ce," by S. R. Scakgill-Bird, F.S.A. (London : Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1891.)
The Society has also contemplated the collection of materials for an ANGLO-FRENCH DIC-
TIONARY, for which practical instructions have been kindly drawn up by Professor Skeat. The Council
will be glad to receive offers of help in this collection with a view to future publication.
The Council will be grateful for any information upon the contents and custody of any
MSS. which may be of sumeient interest to be dealt with by the Society.
All communications may be addressed to the Honorary Secretary,
Mr. B. FOSSETT LOCK, 11 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, London, W.C.
Subscriptions should be paid, and Applications for Forms of Membership or Bankers'
Orders and communications as to the issue of the publications should be made to the Honorary
Treasurer,
Mr. FRANCIS K. MUNTON, 95a Queen Victoria Street, London, B.C.
or, in the United States of America, to the Local Honorary Secretary and Treasurer,
Mr. RICHARD W. HALE, 10 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
Ju/ic 1 90 i .
Selben Society
FOUNDED 1887.
RULES.
1. The Society shall be called the Selden Society.
2. The object of the Society shall be to encourage the study and advance
the knowledge of the history of English Law, especially by the publication
of original documents and the reprinting or editing of works of sufticient
rarity or importance.
3. Membership of the Society shall be constituted by payment of the
annual subscription, or, in the case of life members, of the composition. Form
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4. The annual subscription shall be £1. Is., payable in advance on or
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stitute life membership from the date of the composition, and, in the case of
Libraries Societies and corporate bodies, membership for 30 years.
5. The management of the affairs and funds of the Society shall be vested
in a President, two Vice-Presidents, and a Council consisting of fifteen
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shall be ex officio members. Three shall form a quorum.
6. The President, Vice-Presidents, and Members of the Council shall be
elected for three years. At every Annual General Meeting such one of the
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as have served longest without re-election, shall retire.
7. The five vacancies in the Council shall be filled up at the Annual
General Meeting in the following manner : (a) Any two Members of
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candidate may withdraw, (e) The names of the persons nominated shall
198
be printed in the notice convening the Annual General Meeting. ( /) If the
persons nominated, and whose nomination shall not have been withdrawn,
are not more than five, they shall at the Annual General Meeting be
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election shall take place by ballot as follows : every member of the Society
present at the Meeting shall be entitled to vote by writing the names of not
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vacancy in the office of President or Vice-President shall be filled in the
same manner {mutatis 'mutandis).
8. The Council may fill casual vacancies in the Council or in the offices
of President and Vice-President. Persons so appointed shall hold office so
long as those in whose place they shall be appointed would have held
office. The Council shall also have power to appoint Honorary Members
of the Society.
9. The Council shall meet at least twice a year, and not less than seven
days' notice of any meeting shall be sent by post to every member of the
Council.
10. There shall be a Literary Director to be appointed and removable by
the Council. The Council may make any arrangement for remunerating the
Literary Director which they may think reasonable.
11. It shall be the duty of the Literary Director (but always subject to
the control of the Council) to supervise the editing of the publications of the
Society, to suggest suitable editors, and generally to advise the Council with
respect to carrying the objects of the Society into effect.
12. Each member shall be entitled to one copy of every work published
by the Society as for any year of his membership. No person other than an
Honorary Member shall receive any such work until his subscription for the
year as for which the same shall be published shall have been paid. Provided
that Public Libraries and other Institutions approved by the Council may,
on agreeing to become regular subscribers, be supplied with the past
publications at such reduced subscription as the Council may from time to
time determine.
13. The Council shall appoint an Hon. Secretary and also an Hon.
Treasurer and such other Officers as they from time to time think fit, and
shall from time to time define their respective duties.
14. The funds of the Society, including the vouchers or securities for any
investments, shall be kept at a Bank, to be selected by the Council, to an
account in the name of the Society. Such funds or investments shall only
be dealt with by a cheque or other authority signed by the Treasurer and
199
countersigned by one of the Vice-Presidents or such other person as the
Council may from time to time appoint.
15. The accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the Society up to the
81st of December in each year shall be audited once a year by two Auditors,
to be appointed by the Society, and the report of the Auditors, with an
abstract of the accounts, shall be circulated together with the notice convening
the Annual Meeting.
16. An Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held in March
1896, and thereafter in the month of March in each year. The Council may
upon their own resolution and shall on the request in writing of not less
than ten members call a Special General Meeting. Seven days' notice at
least, specifying the object of the meeting and the time and place at which
it is to be held, shall be posted to every member resident in the United
Kingdom at his last known address. No member shall vote at any General
Meeting whose subscription is in arrear.
17. The Hon. Secretary shall keep a Minute Book wherein shall be
entered a record of the transactions, as well at Meetings of the Council as at
General Meetings of the Society.
18. These rules may upon proper notice be repealed, added to, or modified
from time to time at any meeting of the Society. But such repeal, addition,
or modification, if not unanimously agreed to, shall require the vote of not
less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at such meeting.
July 1901.
FORM OF APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP.
To Mr. Francis K. Munton, 95a Queen Victoria Street, London, E.G.,
Honorary Treasurer of the Selden Society.
I desire to become a member of the Society, and herewith send my
cheque for One Guinea, the annual subscription [oi- £21 the life contribu-
tion] dating from the commencement of the present year. [I also desire
to subscribe for the preceding years , and I add
one guinea for each to my cheque.]
Name
Address
Description
Date
[Note. — Cheques, crossed "Robakts & Co., a/c of the Selden Society,"
should be made payable to the Honorary Treasurer, from whom forms of
bankers' orders for payment of subscriptions direct to the Society's banking
account can be obtained.]
OFTH'T
U/S//VERS
^efben ^ocie^g
LIST OF MEMBEES.
1898.
(* denoteg Life Meiuhers ; f Members of the Counoil.)
UNITED KINGDOM.
Alsop, J. W.
Anson, Sir W. E-.
Atkinson, J, T.
Attlee, Henry
Bitrl.
Baildon, W. Paley
BiRKETT, P.
Blakesley, G. H.
Bond, Edward, M.P.
Bond, Henry
Brace, L. J. K.
Braithwaite, J. B,
Brice, Seward, Q.C.
Browne, G. F.
tBRUCE, The Hon. Mr. Justice
Brunel, I.
Buckley, H. B., Q.C.
Byrne, The Hon. Mr. Justice
Campbell, R.
Carpenter, R. H.
Carter, A. T.
Chadwick, S. J.
IChannell, The Hon. Mr. Justice
Charles, Sir Arthur
Chitty, The Eight Hon. Lord Justice
Clark, J. W.
Cohen, A., Q.C.
COLVILLE, H. K.
*CoNNAUGHT, H.R.H. The Duke of
Cook, C. A.
CooLiDGE, Rev. W. A. B.
Cornish, J. E.
Couch, The Right Hon. Sir R.
Cozens-Hardy, H. H., Q.C, M.P,
Crackanthorpe, M. H., Q.C.
Cracroft, R. W.
Ckewb. W. 0.
16 Bidston Road, Birkenhead.
All Souls College, Oxford.
Selby, Yorks.
10 Billiter Street, E.G.
5 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Lm, W.C.
4 Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C.
13 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
Elm Bank, Thurlow Rd., Haiupstead, N.W.
Trinity Hall, Cambridge,
c/o Lloyd's Bank, 16 St. James's Street, W.
312 Camden Road, N.
5 New Court, Carey Street, W.C.
151 Cannon Street, E.G.
Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
15 Devonshire Terrace, Hyde Park, W.
8 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
5 New Court, Carey Street, W.C.
Bank Chambers, Corn Street, Bristol.
Christ Church, Oxford.
Church Street, Dewsbury.
Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
Chelsea Embankment, S.W.
Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
Board of Agricultm-e, St. James's Sq., S.W.
26 Great Cumberland Place, W.
Bellaport Hall, Market Drayton.
Buckingham Palace, S.AV.
108 Park Street, W.
Magdalen College, Oxford.
16 St. Ann's Square, Manchester.
25 Linden Gardens, W.
7 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
1 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
12 King's Bench Walk, Temple, E.G.
Central Bdgs., North John Street, L'pool.
202
Cross, W. C. H.
cunliffe, r.
currey, c. h.
Cutler, J., Q.C.
Danckwerts, W.
Davey, The Right Hon. Lord
Dees, R. R.
•Derby, The Right Hon. the Earl of
Dicey, A. V., Q.C.
Donnithorne, Nicholas
fELPHiNSTONE, Sir Howard W., Bart.
tELTON, C. I., Q.C.
Evans, A. J.
Evans, Sir John
Farwell, G., Q.C.
Fisher, H. A. L.
Ford, J. Rawlinson
Fox, G. W.
Fry, The Right Hon. Sir E,
Galpin, H. F.
*Giffard, Henry A., Q.C.
Grantham, The Hon. Mr. Justice
Gray, W. H.
Gray-Hill, J. E.
Gruchy, W. L. de
Hadfield, G.
Hall, Hubert
Halliday, J.
Harris, D. L.
Harris, W. J.
Harrison & Sons
fHEALEY, C. E. H. Chadwyck, Q.C.
*Heap, Ralph
HOLLAMS, J.
Hudson, Rev. W.
HUMFRYS, W. J.
Hunter, John
HUTCHINS, F. L.
Inderwick, F. a., Q.C.
Jackson, C. S.
Jacobs, Herbert
Jelf, a. R., Q.C.
Jenkyns, Sir Henry, K.C.B.
Jeune, The Right Hon. Sir Francis H.
tJoYCE, M. Ingle
Kekewich, The Hon. Mr. Justice
King, H. C.
Bank Chambers, Corn Street, Bristol.
43 Chancery Lane, W.C.
14 Great George Street, Westminster, S.W.
4 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
7 New Court, Carey Street, W.C.
10 Queen's Gate Gardens, S.W.
Wallsend, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Derby House, St. James's Square, S.W.
The Orchard, Banbury Road, Oxford.
Fareham, Hants.
2 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
33 Chancery Lane, W.C.
65 Chesterton Road, Cambridge.
Nash Mills, Hemel Hempstead, Herta.
10 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
New College, Oxford.
61 Albion Street, Leeds.
14 Rochester Terrace, N.W.
Failand, near Bristol.
4 George Street, Oxford.
9 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
Ormond House, Great Trinity Lane, E.G.
Liverpool.
12 Highbury Mansions, N.
20 St. Ann's Square, Manchester.
Public Record Office, Chancerj' Lane,W.C.
5 HoUand Park, W.
Downing College, Cambridge.
Sittingbourne, Kent.
59 Pall MaU.
7 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
1 Brick Court, Temple.
30 Mincing Lane, E.G.
15 Hartfield Square, Eastbourne.
Hereford.
9 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
11 Birchin Lane, E.C.
1 Mitre Court Buildings, Temple, E.C.
15 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
8 Fig Tree Court, Temple, E.C.
9 King's Bench Walk, Temple, E.C.
3 Whitehall Gardens, S.W.
37 Wimpole Street, W.
4 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
Royal Coiirts of Justice, W.C.
17 Serjeants' Inn, Fleet Street, E.C.
203
tLAKK, B. G.
Latham, W., Q.C.
Lawrence, P. O., Q.C.
Lewis, Frank B.
tLiNDLEY, The Right Hon.
Lindsay, W. A.
Lister, J.
tLocK, B. Fossett
LusHiNGTON, His Honour
fLvTE, Sir H. C. Maxwell
10 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
11 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, "W.C,
4 New Court, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
11 Old Jewry Chambers, E.C,
Sir N., M.R. Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
College of Arms, Queen Victoria Street, E.C,
Shelden Hall, near Halifax.
11 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
Judge Vernon Pyports, Cobham, Surrey.
Public Record Office, Chancery Lane,W.C.
Macnaghten, The Right Hon.
fMAITLAND, F. W.
Marsben, R. G.
Martin, C. Trice
Matthews, J, B.
Mears, T. L.
tMooRE, A. Stuart
MouLTON, J. Fletcher, Q.C.
tMUNTON, F. K.
Lord 198 Queen's Gate, S.W.
Downing College, Cambridge.
6 New Court, Carey Street, W.C.
Public Record Office, Chancery Lane,W,C.
6 Sansonie Place, Worcester.
9 King's Bench Walk, Temple, E.C.
6 King's Bench Walk, Temple, E.C.
11 King's Bench Walk, Temple, E.C.
95a Queen Victoria Street, E.C.
Nash, E.
Neilson, G.
North, The Hon. Mr. Justice
Norton, H. T.
2 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
34 Granby Terrace, Glasgow.
Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
57| Old Broad Street, E.C.
Oxford, The Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Cuddesdon Palace, Oxford.
Palmer, F. Danby
Parker, Kenyon C. S.
Parker, R. J.
IPennington, R.
Poland, Sir H. B., Q.C.
tPoLLOCK, Sir F., Bart.
Poore, Major R.
Priest, F. J.
Privy Purse, The Keeper of H.M.'s
Prothero, G. W.
Radford, G. H.
Raikes, His Honour Judge
IRenshaw, W. C, Q.C.
Ridley, The Hon. Mr. Justice
RiGBY, The Right Hon. Lord Justice
RiGG, J. M.
fRoMER, The Hon. Mr. Justice
Ross, Dr. J. Carne
RoYCE, Rev. David
Russell of KiLLowEN.TheRt.Hon.Lord
BussELL, C. A., Q.C.
Rutherford, W.
Rye, W.
Great Yarmouth.
13 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
9 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W.C,
64 Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C.
5 Paper Buildings, Temple, E.C.
13 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
1 Carlyle Gdns., Cheyne Row, Chelsea.S. W,
163 Canning Street, Liverpool,
Buckingham Palace, S.W.
2 Eton Terrace, Edinburgh.
40 Chancery Lane, W.C.
The Leat House, Malton, Yorks.
5 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
48 Lennox Gardens, S.W.
Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
9 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
Parsonage Nook, Whittington, Manchester,
Nether Swill Vicarage, Stow-on-the-Wold»
Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
2 Harcourt Buildings, Temple, E.C.
3 Plowden Buildings, Temple, E.C,
16 Golden Square, W.
204
Salisbury, The Rt. Hon.
tSCARGILL-BiRD, S. R.
Seebohm, F,
Shadwell, C. L.
Sharp, J. E. E. S.
Slatter, Rev. J.
Smith, Vernon R., Q.C.
Stephens, H. C, M.P.
Stevens, T. M.
Stevens & Haynes
+STIRLING, The Hon, Mr.
Stirling, Hugh
Sweet, Charles
Thoenely, J. L.
Thornton, C.
Threlfall, Hem-}' 8,
Turner, G. J.
Turton, R. B.
•Walker, J. Douglas, Q.C.
Wall, C. Y.
Wallis, J. P.
Walters, W. M.
Warrington, T. R., Q.C,
Watney, J.
Watson, E. J.
Webster, Sir R. E., A.G., M.P.
*Welby, Edward M. E.
Westlake, J., Q.C.
Whitaker, F.
tWniTE, His Honour Judge Meadows
Whittuck, E. a.
Wightman, a.
Williams, T. Cyprian
WiLLLiMS, T. W.
tW^iLLS, The Hon. Mr. Justice
Wills, W.
Wilson, J. C.
Woods, Grosvenor, Q.C.
the ]\Iartjuis of 20 Ai'hngton Street, W,
Public Record Office, Chaneei^ Lane,W.C.
Hitchin Bank, Hitchin.
CO Messrs. James Parker, Oxford.
Public Record Otiice, Chancery Lane, W.C.
Whitchurch Rectory, Reading.
3 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W.C,
Avenue House, Finchley, X.
I Garden Court, Temple, E.C.
Bell Yard, Temple Bar, W.C.
Justice Royal Courts of Justice, W.C.
II Birchin Lane, E.C.
10 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
5 Fenchurch Street, Liverpool.
41 Manchester Road, Nelson, Lane,
12 London Street, Southport.
14 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
KiUdale Hall, Grosmont, Yorks.
4 Brick Court, Temple, E.C.
New Exchange Buildings, Diu-ham.
1 Harcourt Buildings, Temple, E.C.
9 New Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
6 New Court, Carey Street, W.C.
Mercers' Hall, E.c"!
St. John's Arch, Bristol.
2 Pump Court, Temple, E.C.
Norton Hoiise, Norton, Sheffield.
River House, Chelsea Embankment, S.W.
Duchy of Lancaster Office, W.C.
42 Sussex Gardens, W.
77 South Audley Street, W.
Bank Chambers, George Street, Sheffield.
7 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
Bank Chambers, Corn Street, Bristol.
Royal Coiu'ts of Justice, W.C.
4 Paper Buildings, Temple, E.C.
Shelwood House, Oxford.
9 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, W.C.
Ratcliff Place.
SOCIETIES, LIBRARIES, &c.
Birmingham :
Central Free Library
Cambridge :
Trinity Hall.
Dublin :
King's Inn.
G lasgow :
Faculty of Procurators
Mitchell Library
88 St. Vincent Street,
21 Miller Street,
205
Hull :
Public Libraries.
Liverpool :
Free Public Library.
Incorporated Law Society
Tate Library
London :
Guildhall Library
Gladstone Library
Gray's Inn.
Incorporated Law Society
Inner Temple.
Lincoln's Inn.
London Library
Middle Temple.
Public Record Office
SiON College
Society of Antiquaries
13 Union Court.
University College.
Guildhall.
National Lib. Club, Whitehall Place, S.W.
Chancer}' Lane, W.C.
14 St. James's Square, S.W.
c/o Ej're & Spottiswoode, Gt. New St., E.C.
Victoria Embankment, E.C.
Burlington House, W.
Treasury (Parliamentary Counsel) c/o Eyre & Spottiswoode, Gt. New St., E.C.
Manchester :
Free Eeference Library
Manchester Law Library
King Street.
Kennedy Street.
Newcastle-on-Tyne :
Literary and Philosophical Society.
Oxford :
All Souls College.
York
Yorkshire Laav Society
GuildhaU.
COLONIAL AND FOREIGN.
DENMARK :
Royal Library, Copenhagen
DOMINION OF CANADA:
Armour, Hon. Chief Justice
Proudfoot, W.
Law Society of Upper Canada
Library of Parliament, Ottaava
University of Toronto
FRANCE :
Tardiff, E. T.
BiBLioTHi:QUE Nationale
BlBLIOTHKQUE DE L'UnIVERSITE
GERMANY :
Hi'BNER, Professor
Berlin Royal Library
c/o Sampson Low & Co., Fetter Lane, E.C.
Cobourg, Ontario.
3 Queen's Park, Toronto.
c/o Stevens & Haynes, 13 Bell Yard, W.C.
c/o E. G. Allen, 28 Henrietta St., W.C.
c/o E. G. Allen, 28 Henrietta St., W.C.
28 Rue du Cherche-midi, Paris.
Paris ! c/o Th. Wohlleben, 45 Great
Paris)" Russell Street, W.C.
c/o W. Muller, 1 Star Yard, Carey Street,
c/o Aslier & Co., 13 Bedford Street, W.C.
1206
INDIA:
Nichols, G. J., Cawnpore
NEW ZEALAND:
Williams, Mr. Justice
QUEENSLAND:
* Griffith, Sir W.
SOUTH AFRICA :
* FiNNEMOEE, Mr. Justice
SWEDEN:
Royal Libraey, Stockholm
SWITZERLAND :
Universitats-Bibliothek
TASMANIA :
Tenison, C. M.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
California :
San Francisco Law Library
District of Columbia :
* Fuller, Hon. M. W.
* Gray, Hon. Horace
Connecticut :
Connecticut State Library
Iowa:
Iowa State University
Maryland :
The Baltimore Bar Library
Johns Hopkins University
Massachusetts :
* Abbot, E. H.
Adams, Walter
* Ames, Professor James B.
Beale, Professor J. H.
Bigblow, Professor M. M.
Beandes, Dunbar & Nutter
Gray, Professor J. C.
Hale, Richard W.
Hill, A. D.
Holmes, Hon. W.
Hudson, J. E.
Leveritt, George V.
Thayer, Professor James B.
Boston University
Boston Athen^um
Boston Public Library )
Harvard College Library]
c/o Grindlay & Co., Parliament St., S.W.
Supreme Court, Dunedin.
Brisbane.
Supreme Court, Pietermaritzburg, Natal.
c/o Sampson Low & Co., Fetter Lane, E.G.
Basel.
Hobart.
San Francisco.
Washington.
Washington.
Hartford.
Iowa City.
Baltimore.
Baltimore.
50 State Street, Room 81, Boston.
S. Framingham.
Law School, Cambridge.
13 Chauncy Street, Cambririge.
209 Washington Street, Boston.
220 Devonshire Street, Boston.
6 State Street, Boston.
10 Tremont Street, Boston.
53 State Street, Room 1033, Boston,
Court House, Boston.
125 Milk Street, Boston.
53 Devonshire Street, Boston.
5 Phillips Place, Cambridge.
19 Somerset Street, Boston.
8 Beacon Street, Boston,
c'o Kegan Paul & Co., Paternoster House,
Charing Cross Road, W.C.
207
Massachusetts — continued.
• Harvard Law School
Social Law Library
Worcester Law Library
Minnesota :
Young, Hon. G. B.
The Minneapolis Bar Assoc.
New Jersey :
Princeton University
New York:
Abbott, E. A.
Ashley, Clarence D.
Bacon, Theodore
Brainerd, C.
Davies, J. T.
DiVEN, George M.
GULICK, J. C.
Hand, Learned
Keener, Professor W. A.
Kenneson, T. D.
Loewy, Benno
MiLBURN, J. G., Buffalo
Nichols, G. L.
Starbuck, Henry P.
Strong, C. E.
Cornell University Library
Long Island Historical Soc.
New York Bar Association
New York Public Library
Ohio :
Cincinnati Law Library
Law School, Cincinnati Coll.
Cambridge.
Court House, Boston.
Worcester.
24 Gilfillan Block, St. Paul.
Temple Court, Minneapolis.
Princeton.
55 William Street, New York City.
New York University, New York City.
Rochester.
47 Cedar Street, New York City.
58 William Street, New York City.
212 E. Water Street, Elmira.
132 Nassau Street, New York City.
224 State Street, Albany.
Columbia College, Sch. of Law, N.Y. City.
11 William Street, New York City.
206 Broadway, New York City.
c/o B. F. Stevens, 4 Trafalgar Square, W.C.
49 Wall Street, New York City,
Columbia College, New York City.
36 Wall Street, New York City.
c/o E. G. Allen, 28 Henrietta Street, W.C.
c/o B. F. Stevens, 4 Trafalgar Square, W.C.
42 West 44th Street, New York City.
c/o B. F. Stevens, 4 Trafalgar Square, W.C.
c/o W. A. Anderson & Co., 22 Main Street,
Cincinnati.
Cincinnati.
Pennsylvania :
BispHAM, G. T. 1805 De Lancey Place, Philadelphia.
*Gest, John M. 400 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
Schafer, John D. Pittsburgh.
Simpson, Alexander, Jr. 1,335 Arch Street, Philadelphia.
Bryn Mawr College Library c/oY. J. Pentland,38 WestSmithfield.E.C.
Law Assoc, of Philadelphia Philadelphia.
Library Co. of Philadelphia c/o E. G. Allen, 28 Henrietta St., W.C.
Vermont :
Taft, The Hon.
R. S.
Willston.
Washington :
Shepard, Charles J
Bailey Building, Seattle.
Wisconsin :
State Historical Society c/o H. Sotheran & Co., 140 Strand, W.C.
208
LOCAL SECRETARIES AND CORRESPONDENTS.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
LOCAL SECRETARY AND TREASURER :
EICHARD W. HALE 10 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
CORRESPONDENTS :
Illinois :
JOHN HENRY WIGMORE 710 Masonic Temple, Chicago.
MiNXESOTA :
HENRY B. WENZELL 601 New York Life Building, St. Paul.
New Yoek:
GORDON TAYLOR HUGHES 120 Broadway, New York City.
LOCAL SECRETARIES AND CORRESPONDENTS :
DOMINION OF CANADA:
W. McGregor young The Law School, OsgoodeHall, Toronto.
NEW ZEALAND:
F. REVANS CHAPMAN Dunedin.
rRIN-TFP BT
spoTTiswoorr: akd co. i.td., Ni-.w-STnF.ET jqvap.e
LONDON
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