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Incident

Id4084
Short DescriptionApprovers' Appeal given by Robert Benet of Barford St John (Oxon)
DetailsRobert Benet of Barford St John in the county of Oxford was taken and brought before William Walworth, mayor of the city of London, in the London Guildhall on Wednesday 19 June [1381] on the grounds that he, together with other malefactors, recently rose as enemies against the lord king, his lieges, various magnates and other loyal and faithful men of the kingdom. Benet was present when the king's prison at Newgate, London, was broken into and the prisoners detained there were carried off. On the following Thursday [20 June] the said Robert Benet appeared in the Guildhall again to answer these charges before William Knyghtcote and Walter Doget, sheriffs of London, as well as John Charneye, coroner of the city. And he confessed that he, together with Richard Kemmes, who lived either in the town of Barton or that of Bodycote, Oxfordshire, and John Hardy of the same county, criminally and treasonably took 100 pounds of gold on Friday I4 June from lord John Vyane of France at the hands of one of the latter's esquires at Portsmouth in the county of Southampton. This was as the result of an agreement made between Richard Kemmes, John Hardy and John Vyane at Portsmouth. Kemmes, Hardy and the said Robert Benet, approver, ought to have received another 100 pounds of gold from John Vyane at Rye, Sussex, within the following two weeks: on condition that they withdrew themselves and as many others from England as they could, permitting the enemies of France to lay terror to parts of England with their 'balingers' and there to burn, kill and destroy. Richard Kemmes and John Hardy retained the 100 pounds received from this source but Robert Benet kept nothing himself. Wherefore Benet appeals his two fellows. [This appeal was later adjudged to be untrustworthy evidence and both Richard Kemmes and John Hardy were released.]
Date of incident (or "date from" if range)20/06/1381
LocationBarford St John,Oxfordshire
TypeBreach of prison,Treason: plotting against the King and his subjects
SourceTNA KB 27/483 m. 27

Victims

None found

Accused

First NameLast NameRoleCommentsSourcesView participant page
JohnHardyAccusedView participant page
RichardKemmesAccusedView participant page
JohnVienneAccusedView participant page

Other People

First NameLast NameRoleCommentsSourcesView participant page
RobertBenetView participant page