Theobald Elys of the county of Kent was attached to answer to Elizabeth who was the wife of Ralph Spigurnell, knight, concerning robbery and the breaking of the lord king's peace, for which she appeals him by bill etc. She claims that on Friday 14 June 1381, the aforesaid Theobald came with other malefactors, to the parish of St Olave in Aldgate ward, and, lying in wait and with a premeditated attack, against the lord king's peace, his crown and his dignity, broke into the same Elizabeth's close and houses, and seized and carried off her goods and chattels, namely linen and woollen cloth, gold and silver rings, and other goods and chattels found there to the value of a hundred pounds. And as soon as the same Theobald had committed the aforesaid felony of robbery he fled, and the aforesaid Elizabeth at once pursued him from ward to ward, as far as the four nearest wards and further, until etc. Theobald is mainprised; Elizabeth fails to appear; he is acquitted of her charges; jury called for the king's suit.
