The People of 1381
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Source
| Type | Approvers appeal |
| Unique Identifying Text | TNA KB 27/482 rex mm. 1-2 |
| Archive name | The National Archives (London) |
| County | Kent |
| Published source (may be more than one) | W.E. Flaherty, 'Sequel to the Great Rebellion in Kent of 1381'. Archaeologia Cantiana 4 (1861), pp. 71-86 |
| Text (English translation) | m. 1 [I. PRESENTMENT.] KENT. The Jurors of divers hundreds of the foresaid county, to wit, John Skynnere, Geoffrey Coventre, William Bocher, John Graveshende, Thomas Macherou, John Baker, of Estlane [Estling], John Peires, Giles Westwode, Peter Gerald, William Mayster, carpenter, John Bordoun, and Adam Smyth, of Lose, in that the same term, before our Lord the King, at Deptford, present, that Thomas Hardyng, of Lyntoun, masoun; John Munde, of Hunton; Thomas Bryght, of Lose; John Iryssh, of Farlegh; Robert Elmestede, of Fritthenden; Richard Bendour, of Bedyndenn; Robert Crotehole, of Cranebrok; John Crotehole, of Cranebrok; Richard Headenne, of Stapelherst; Robert Monselowe, of Merdenne; John Cote, of Lose, masoun; William Delton, of Lynton; Roger Lundenyssh; Thomas Gyles, of Lose; Colkinus Fullere, of Lose; and John Waite, bakere, on Monday next after the feast of St. Michael, in the fifth year of the reign of Richard the Second after the Conquest (30th September, 1381) at Lynton, made insurrection against our Lord the King and his people, and the death of our Lord the King, and the death of John de Frenyngham, William Topclyve, Thomas Hartheregge, Stephen de Betenham, Thomas de Cobeham, Kt., and William Septvans, Kt., Sheriff of Kent, and many other faithful lieges of our Lord the King, did treasonably, and hostilely, imagine and conspire; and the Town of Maydestane to burn, did feloniously and treasonably purpose and conspire; and all the people of the same town to be of their conventicles [conventiculis] did purpose to swear; and John Startout, as he was ploughing his own land [terram suam propriam], against his will did take, and him did compel to swear to be of their connivance and conventicles [coniva et conventiculis]; and also Ralph Rook of Farlegh, in his bed, at night, against his will, did take, and him in the foresaid form did make to swear. BY THE RECORDS OF THE FIFTH YEAR. And now, to wit, on Tuesday next after the octaves of St. Michael, in that the same term (8th October, 1381), before our Lord the King at Depford, came the foresaid Thomas Hardyng, John Munde, Thomas Bryght, John Iryssh, Robert Elmestede, Richard Bendour, Robert Crothole, John Crothole, Richard Headenne, Robert Munselowe, John Startout, and Ralph Cook (sic), taken and brought by the Sheriff, and they are committed to the Marshal; and immediately afterwards they came, brought by the Marshal, and were interrogated [allocuti] severally, how from the felonies and treasons aforesaid they wished to acquit themselves. They say severally, that in nothing are they thereof guilty, and thereupon for good or ill, place themselves on their country [de bono et malo ponunt se super patriam]. Therefore, let a jury thereon come before our Lord the King, from the day of St. Michael then next following, in fifteen days (15th October, 1381), wherever, etc. And meanwhile, the foresaid Thomas Hardyng and the others are committed to prison, in custody of the foresaid Sheriff, etc. [II. TRIAL.] At which quindain. of St. Michael, before our Lord the King, at Westminster, came the foresaid Thomas Hardyng, John Munde, Thomas Bryght, John Iryssh, Robert Elmestede, Richard Bendour, Robert Crothole, John Crothole, Richard Headenne, of Stapelherst, Robert Monselowe, John Startout, and Ralph Cook (sic), brought by the Constable of the Tower of London, (who, at other time, to his custody, out of the custody of the same Sheriff, by mandate of our Lord the King, had been committed), are committed to the Marshal. And likewise, the jurors came, who, to this chosen, tried, and sworn, say, on their oath, that the foresaid Thomas Hardyng, John Munde, Thomas Bryght, John Iryssh, Robert Elmestede, Richard Bendour, Robert Crothole, John Crothole, and Richard Headenne, are guilty of the felonies and treasons aforesaid, and that the foresaid Thomas Hardyng was the first raiser and the first imaginer of the foresaid treasons. Therefore it is considered [consideratum est] that the foresaid Thomas Hardyng, John Munde, Thomas Bryght, John Iryssh, Robert Elmestede, Richard Bendour, Robert Crothole, John Crothole, and Richard Headenne, be drawn to execution [distrahantur], and, on account of the horrible and odious treason aforesaid, in imagining and conspiring the death of our Lord the King, their bowels shall be torn from their bodies, and before their eyes be burned with fire, and that they be afterwards hanged. And that the body of the foresaid Thomas Hardyng, for that he was the principal raiser and first imaginer of the treasons aforesaid, after he has been hung, be taken down, and that he be beheaded, and that his body meanwhile be suspended by his arms, and that his head be fixed on the outer gate of the palace of our Lord the King at Westminster. They have no goods, nor chattels of land, nor tenements. And as to the foresaid Robert Monselowe, the same Jurors say, that the foresaid Robert Monselowe is in nothing guilty of the felonies and treasons abovesaid, nor did he withdraw himself from these proceedings. And, because the Court, for certain reasons, is not yet advised to give judgment thereon, upon the foresaid Robert Moneslowe, therefore, the said Robert Monselowe, and the foresaid John Startout, and Ralph Rook, upon whom the foresaid Jury thereon are not yet charged, are committed to prison, in custody of the said Constable, to wit, Alan de Buxhill, to keep in safe custody, etc. And, on the same quindain of St. Michael, before our Lord the King at Westminster, came the foresaid John Cote and Roger Lundenyssh, brought by the said Constable, (who, at other time, to his custody by mandate of our Lord the King were committed,) who are committed to the Marshal; and immediately brought by the Marshal they came, and were interrogated [allocuti] severally how they wished to acquit themselves of the felonies and treasons aforesaid; they say severally, that in nothing are they thereof guilty, and thereon, for good or ill, place themselves on their country. Therefore, let a Jury thereon come before our Lord the King in the octaves of St. Martin (18th November 1381) wherever, etc., and who, etc., to recognize, etc. And meanwhile, the foresaid John Cote and Roger Lundenyssh are committed to the prison of the Tower aforesaid, in custody of the foresaid Constable, etc. And, upon this, it was witnessed here in Court, that the foresaid John Cote, before the Sheriffs and Coroners of the City of London, became an approver, and divers appeals, concerning the felonies and treasons aforesaid, also other things against divers persons, affirmed; upon which appeals the Court here wishes to be certified [certiorari]. Therefore, it is commanded the same Sheriffs and Coroners, that the foresaid appeals, with all things touching the same, under their seals, they openly prosecute [incitant] before our Lord the King, without delay, etc. And further, etc. Afterwards, to wit, on Monday next after the morrow of All Souls, in that the said term (4th November 1381), the Sheriffs of London, to wit, John Hende and John Rote, and John Charney, the Coroner of the said city, sent before our Lord the King the foresaid appeals, in these words: [III. COTE'S CONFESSION.] On Monday the seventh day of October, in the year of King Richard the Second after the Conquest the fifth [1381], John Cote, mason, of Lose, in the parish of Maydeston, in the county of Kent, came before John Hende and John Rote, Sheriffs of London, and John Charneye, Coroner of the said city, and acknowledged [cognovit] that he, together with Thomas Hardyng, masoun; William de Delton; Philip de Apoldre; William Smyth, of Lose; William atte Welle, of the same; Thomas Bryght, of the same; John Brown; [...] Iryssh, of the same; Richard Barbour, of Maydestone; John Hosyere, of the same; William Shepere, of the same; a certain glover, of the same, of whose name and surname he is ignorant; John Stertout, junior, of Lynton; John Selyng, junior, of the same; John Selyng, senior, of the same; John Tendelok, carpenter, of the same; John Munde, of the parish of Hunton; Thomas Berdefeld, of the same; Michael Deggessell, of Merden; John Crothole and Robert Crothole, of the same; Richard Stemyngden, of the same; William Reve, of the same; Robert Relmstede; John Watte, of Lynton; one John, who married the daughter of John Bellard, of the same; and many other malefactors, in like manner congregated from the foresaid county of Kent, of whose number and names the foresaid John Cote is utterly ignorant, by night, on Monday, the last day of the month of September, in the fifth year abovesaid (30th September, 1381) , at Boughton Hegh, near Melkhous, in the county of Kent, of the connivance [coniva] made between them, by the instigation [per excitationem] and procurement of the foresaid Thomas Hardyng, did willingly of their own malice together make insurrection against our foresaid Lord King Richard and his people, to the intent to make our said Lord the King, by duress [per duriciam], to grant and confirm to the said malefactors [m. 1 dorse] all their liberties and pardons which they lately, at the time of the foresaid insurrection, with fury demanded of our foresaid Lord the King, against his peace, at Le Mylende, near London, in the county of Middlesex. And, in case that our said Lord the King, their said liberties and pardons to them, at their will, were unwilling gratuitously to grant and confirm, the forenamed malefactors and others, (whom they, one and all, had then wished to congregate and associate with them,) our said Lord the King and all the magnates of his kingdom, and other faithful lieges of the said King, imagining their death, intended feloniously and traitorously to have slain, and the laws and statutes of the said King and his foresaid kingdom, willed in all things to have destroyed and annulled. And also the said John Cote acknowledged [cognovit] that strangers [peregrini] who had come out of the north country [extra patriam del north] to the town of Canterbury, related in the said county of Kent, that John, Duke of Lancaster, had made all his natives free, in the different counties of England; whereupon, the foresaid malefactors wished to have sent messengers to the foresaid Duke, if it were so or not: and if it were so, then the said malefactors consented one and all, to have sent to the said Duke, and him, by their own real power [per realem potestatem suam] to have made their Lord and King of England, and to have held with the said Duke in all things to live and die, against our said Lord King Richard and his people aforesaid. And so the said John Cote became approver and appeals the foresaid malefactors of the foresaid felony and treason, and had two days further assigned him according to law, viz. Tuesday and Wednesday next following, on which days the same approver said as above, and no more. He has no chattels within the liberty of the foresaid city. BY RECORDS OF THE FIFTH YEAR. Afterwards, to wit, on Saturday next after the feast of St. Edmund the King (23rd November 1381) in that same term, before our Lord the King, at Westminster, came the foresaid Robert Munselowe, brought by the Constable of the Tower of London, by writ of our Lord the King, and is committed to the Marshal, and immediately came, brought by the Marshal; and because the foresaid Robert Munselowe, of the felony and treasons aforesaid, whereof he was, as above, tried? [judicatus], was by a jury of his country on which, for good or ill, he had placed himself, acquitted, it was considered that the foresaid Robert Munselowe shall go thereof acquitted [eat inde quietus]. [IV. APPEALS OF TREASON.] And, on the same Saturday next after the feast of St. Edmund there came before our Lord the King there, as well the foresaid John Cote, the approver, as the foresaid John Stertout, brought by the foresaid Constable, by the said writ, who in like manner, are committed to the Marshal, and immediately came, brought by the Marshal, and it was asked of the foresaid approver, if he his foresaid appeal against the foresaid John Stertout were willing to maintain or not? who says that it is so; and, upon this, it was asked of the foresaid John Stertout how he wished to acquit himself of the felony and treasons aforesaid? he says that he is no wise guilty thereof, and thereupon, for good or ill, places himself on his country, and the foresaid approver in like manner. Therefore, let a jury thereupon come before our Lord the King, in the octaves of St. Hillary, wherever, etc. Afterwards, to wit, on the Wednesday next following (27th November, 1381), before our Lord the King at Westminster, came the foresaid approver, in custody of the Marshal, and the foresaid William de Delton, in like manner came brought by the Steward and Marshal of the Household [hospitii] of our Lord the King, by virtue of a certain writ of the said King to them directed, and he is committed to the Marshal; and it was asked of the foresaid approver, if he his foresaid appeal against the foresaid William de Delton were willing to maintain or not ? who says that it is so; and, thereupon, it was asked of the foresaid William de Dalton how he wished to acquit himself of the felony and treasons aforesaid? he says that he is no wise guilty of the felony and treason aforesaid by the foresaid approver laid to his charge, and this he is prepared to defend by his body against the aforesaid approver, as a faithful man against a felon and traitor of our Lord the King, and wages him battle thereon [vadiat ei inde duellum]. And the foresaid approver says that the foresaid William de Delton is guilty of the felony and treason aforesaid by him charged against him, and this he is prepared to prove against him by his body, as a felon and traitor of our Lord the King, and admits from him the wager, etc. Therefore, let the battle thereon be between them, by reason of which a day is given, as well to the foresaid approver, as to the foresaid William de Delton, at Tothill, on the Friday then next ensuing, to perform the said battle. And the Marshal is commanded to cause them to array, as the custom is, against the said day; and as well the foresaid approver as the foresaid William de Delton are meanwhile committed to the Marshal. On which Friday (29th November 1381), at Tothill, came both the foresaid approver and William de Delton, in custody of the Marshal, as the custom is, arrayed, and the battle being fought between them, the foresaid approver vanquished the foresaid William de Delton. Therefore, it is considered , that the foresaid William de Delton be drawn to the gallows, and that his bowels be there torn from his body, and burnt in the fire, and afterward that he be hanged; and the foresaid approver is meanwhile committed to the Marshal. [V. FURTHER ACCUSATIONS.] At which octaves of St. Hilary (20 January, 1382) , before our Lord the King, at Westminster, came, as well the foresaid approver in custody of the Marshal, as also the foresaid John Hosyere, of Maydestone; William Sheper, of the same; William Reve, of Marden; John Tendelek, carpenter, of Lynton; and Thomas Bordefeld, of Hunton; taken and brought by the Sheriff of Kent, by writ of our Lord the King, who are in like manner committed to the Marshal, and immediately came brought by the Marshal; and it was demanded of the foresaid approver, if he his foresaid appeal against the foresaid John Hosyere and others was willing to maintain or not? who says that it is so; and thereupon it was severally demanded of the foresaid John Hosyere and the others, how they wished to acquit themselves of the felony and treason aforesaid? they severally say, that in no wise are they guilty thereof, and thereon for good or for ill, place themselves on their country; and the foresaid approver in like manner. Therefore, let a jury thereon come before our Lord the King, from the day of Easter, in fifteen days, wherever, etc. And as well the foresaid approver as the foresaid John Hosyere and the others, are meanwhile committed to the Marshal. And against John Startout our writ, in the quindain of Easter. [VI. PARDONS.] (1.) Afterwards, to wit, from the day of Easter in fifteen days, in the year of the King that now is, the fifth (21st April 1382), before our Lord the King, at Westminster, comes the foresaid Roger Lundenessh, in custody of the Marshal, and says that our Lord the King has pardoned him the suit of his peace [sectam, pacis sua] which pertains to him, for all manner of felonies and treasons by him, in the foresaid insurrections, from the first day of May in the year of the King that now is, the fourth, to the feast of All Saints then next ensuing, howsoever done or perpetrated, etc.; and also outlawry, if any, etc.; so, however, that he did not slay the Venerable Father Simon, of good memory, Archbishop of Canterbury, late our Chancellor, or Brother Robert Hales, Prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England, then our Treasurer, or John Cavendissh, then our Chief Justice; and that he be not an approver or appellee concerning the said treasons and felonies, nor has escaped from prison, or gone therefrom and not rendered himself to the same prison, etc. The date whereof is at Westminster, the 18th day of January, in the fifth year of our reign [1382]. By virtue whereof, the said Roger asks, that he may be delivered from the prison of our Lord the King, etc. And the foresaid letters of our Lord the King being inspected and more fully examined, because it is testified here in Court by many of the said county who are worthy of credit, that the foresaid Roger Lundenyssh in the said Inquisition named, and the foresaid Roger Lundenyssh of Hetcron (sic), in the county of Kent, in the said charter named, are one and the same person; and also, because the date of the said charter is within the time in the statute of our Lord the King limited, for finding sufficient bail for good behaviour [bono gestu], etc., it is ordered the said Roger Lundenyssh that he find sufficient bail, etc.; and thereupon came John Kelysham, of Edgrowe; John Ree, of Merden; John Pacehurst, of Stapilhurst; and William Leuysshethe, all of the county of Kent, and became sureties for the foresaid Roger Lundenyssh, that he would be of good behaviour towards our Lord the King and his people, and that he would not make insurrection, nor procure any one to make insurrection against our Lord the King or his people, against his allegiance or against the peace of our Lord the King; to wit, each of the foresaid sureties under the penalty of one hundred pounds, and the foresaid Roger under the penalty of two hundred pounds; and as well the foresaid Roger as the foresaid sureties acknowledged that they owe our Lord the King, to wit, the foresaid Roger the foresaid two hundred pounds, and each of the foresaid sureties the foresaid hundred pounds; if it happen that the foresaid Roger in the premisses, or in any of the premisses be delinquent, and be thereof legally convicted, etc. Therefore, it is considered that the foresaid Roger may go thence "sine die," etc. m. 2 (2.) Afterwards, on Wednesday next after the octaves of Michaelmas, in the year of the King of England that now is, the sixth [8th October 1382] , before our Lord the King at Westminster, came the foresaid Thomas Bordefeld, in custody of the Marshal, and says, that our Lord the King that now is, of his special grace, pardoned him the suit of his peace which pertains to him, for the foresaid insurrection, by his letters patent, which he brings forth here in Court, in these words :- "Richard, by the grace of God, King of England and France; and Lord of Ireland, to all Bailiffs and his faithful, to whom the present letters shall come, greeting. Know ye, that whereas Thomas Bordefeld, of the parish of Hunton, is appealed [appellatas] for that he was one of a false and traitorous company which at last levied war against us and our peace, in the county of Kent, as is said by John Cote, of Lose, in the parish of Maidstone, in the county of Kent, our approver. And we, of our special grace, and for that the same Thomas, when he was induced by the said company and had knowledge of the said company and their false imaginings, fled therefrom, and revealed their counsel to our beloved John de Frennyngham by virtue of which revelation a great part of the said company was taken by the foresaid John de Frennyngham and other gentlemen of those parts, and the false proposal of the said company, as we have been sufficiently and fully informed, was totally destroyed, have pardoned the said Thomas the suit of our peace which pertains to us for the foresaid insurrection, whereof he being thus appealed [appellatus], has been indicted and tried [rectatus]; and also the outlawry, if there be any proclaimed against him on that occasion; and we grant him thereon our firm peace; so, however, that he stand right in our Court [rectos in Curia], if any other besides the said approver shall choose to plead against him, for the foresaid levying. "In testimony whereof, we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness myself at Westminster, the 13th day of July, in the year of our reign the sixth." By virtue of which, the said Thomas Bordefeld asks that he may be delivered from the prison of our Lord the King, etc. And thereupon came John de Frennyngham, William Brenchesle, John Brouston, and Simon Wennok, and became sureties for the foresaid Thomas Bordefeld, that he, from henceforth, would be of good behaviour towards our Lord the King and his people, according to the form of the statute thereon published, etc. And the foresaid letters being inspected, it is considered that the foresaid Thomas Bordefeld, as to the foresaid appeal, shall go thence "sine die." [VII. FRESH ACCUSATIONS.] Afterwards, to wit, in the octaves of St. Martin, in the sixth year of the King that now is [18th November, 1382] before our Lord the King, at Westminster, comes, as well the foresaid approver, in the custody of the Marshal, as also the foresaid William atte Welle, brought by Writ of Exigent [per breve de exigendo], by the Sheriff, and is committed to the Marshal, and straightway brought by the Marshal comes; and it is demanded of the foresaid approver, if his appeal against the foresaid William he is willing to maintain? who says that so it is. And he is instantly asked how he wishes to acquit himself of the treasons and felonies aforesaid charged upon him? and he says, that he in no wise is guilty thereof; and thereon places himself on his country. And the foresaid approver in like manner. Therefore, let a jury thereupon come before our Lord the King, in the octaves of St. Hilary, wheresoever, etc. And meanwhile, as well the foresaid approver as the foresaid William, are committed to the Marshal, etc. [VIII. ACQUITTALS.] Afterwards, the process thereof being continued before our Lord the King, between the foresaid approver and the foresaid John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, by juries respited [positas in respectu] till the octaves of St. Hilary, in the sixth year of the King of England that now is [20th January, 1383], at which day, before our Lord the King, at Westminster, came, as well the foresaid approver as the foresaid John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, and William atte Welle, brought by the Marshal, and the Jurors as well between the foresaid approver and the foresaid John Stertout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, as between the said approver and the foresaid William atte Welle, came; who, with the assent, as well of the foresaid approver, as of the foresaid John Stertout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, and William atte Welle, for this chosen, tried, and sworn, say upon their oath, that the foresaid John Stertout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, are in no wise guilty of the felony and treasons aforesaid, nor on these occasions withdrew themselves [se retraxerunt]. And, in like manner, that the foresaid William atte Welle is in no wise guilty of the felony and treasons aforesaid; but, because the foresaid William atte Welle came by Writ of Exigent, it is asked of the foresaid Jury concerning the goods and chattels of the foresaid William atte Welle, who say that the foresaid William atte Welle had no goods or chattels, etc. Therefore, it is considered that the foresaid John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, [...] Reve, John Tendelok, and William atte Welle, go thereof acquitted, etc. [IX. PARDON TO THE APPROVER.] And, thereupon, our Lord the King sent to his Justiciaries here, certain his letters, sealed with the King's own seal, in these words: "Very dear and faithful,-At the instance and request of the Reverend Father in God, and our very dear Cousin, the Bishop of Norwich, we command you, that, between this and Easter next ensuing, you surcease from the arraignment of John Cote, of Lose, mason, of the parish of Maidstone, in the county of Kent, the which has appealed certain persons of treason, in the last insurrection against us and our royal dignity, knowing meanwhile, that we will not that he be arraigned or adjudged to death by you, if you have no other mandate thereon from us. Given under our signet at our manor of Shene, the 25th day of January." By virtue of which letters the execution of judgment upon the foresaid John Cote, for the foresaid causes to be done, is respited before our Lord the King until, from the day of Easter, in fifteen days, wherever, etc. m. 2 dorse Afterwards, to wit, from the day of Easter in one month, in the year of the King of England that now is, the sixth [4th May, 1383], before our Lord the King, at Westminster, comes the said John Cote, in custody of the Marshal, and says, that our Lord the King that now is, of his special grace, has pardoned him the execution of the within written judgment, and the suit of his peace which pertains to him, for the felony and treasons aforesaid, whereof, by his own acknowledgment, he is convicted; also the outlawry, if any, etc.; by his letters patent, which he produces here in Court in these words:- "Richard, by the grace of God, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, to all Bailiffs, and his faithful, to whom the present letters shall come, greeting. Know ye, that whereas John Cote, mason, of Lose, in the parish of Maidstone, in the county of Kent, late acknowledged before John Hende and John Rote, then our Sheriffs of London, and John Charneye, our Coroner of the same city, that the said John Cote and others, on Monday, the last day of September; in the year of our reign the fifth, at Boughtonhegh, near Milkhous, in the foresaid county, together of the connivance had between them, by the incitement and procurance of Thomas Hardyng, did voluntarily and of their own proper malice, against us and our people, raise insurrection, to the intent of making us by duress [duritia] to grant and confirm to the foresaid malefactors all the liberties and pardons which they, of late, in the time of the insurrection before perpetrated at La Milende, near London, in the county of Middlesex exacted [exegerunt] from us, and in case that we would not grant and confirm to them those liberties and pardons, they, imagining our death, and that of all the great lords of our foresaid kingdom, and other our faithful lieges, intended us and the lords, and other our faithful lieges aforesaid feloniously and traitorously to have slain, and wished the laws and statutes of us and our realm aforesaid to have destroyed and entirely annulled. And also the same John Cote acknowledged that strangers who had come from the northern parts towards the city of Canterbury, declared in the said county of Kent, that our very dear uncle John, king of Castille And Leon, duke of Lancaster, had made free his natives in divers counties and parts of England, and that, over and above this, the foresaid malefactors wished to have sent messengers to our foresaid Uncle, to know if this were so or not, and if it had been so, then the said malefactors had agreed to have gone together to the foresaid Duke, and by their own real power to have made him their Lord, and King of England, and with the said Duke, for life or death, to have been bound to hold against us and our said people in all things; and thus the said John Cote, the approver, came and appealed the foresaid malefactors of the felony and treason aforesaid, and William atte Welle, of Lose, and the others by the foresaid John Cote of the felony and treason aforesaid appealed, by inquisition thereof at the suit of the said John Cote before us, were acquitted; by which the said John Cote ought to have incurred the judgment of death, as a traitor, for his false appeal. We, on the supplication of the Venerable Father in Christ, the Bishop of Norwich, of our special grace, and on condition that the foresaid John Cote well and peaceably behaves himself towards us and our people, have pardoned the said John Cote the execution of the foresaid judgment, and the suit of our peace which pertains to us for the felony and treason aforesaid, of which, by his own acknowledgment, he stands convicted; and also the outlawries, if any have been proclaimed against him on these occasions, and thereof we grant him our firm peace. "In witness whereof, we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness myself at Westminster, the 14th day of April, in the year of our reign the sixth." And thereon came William Braybrok, of London, fishmonger; William Grandon, of Westminster; Robert Beche, of London, mason; and Thomas Boteler, of London, draper; and became sureties for the foresaid John Cote, that he, from henceforth, would behave himself well and peacefully towards our Lord the King and his people, and that he would not raise insurrection against our Lord the King or his people, nor make or in any way cause to be made, any gatherings or illegal conventicles which might produce insurrection against our Lord the King, or the terror of his peace; and in case that he hear any rumour of insurrection, gatherings, or conventicles of this kind, to be made by any of the said malefactors, he will, without delay, forewarn the King and his Council thereof. To wit, each of the said sureties under the penalty of two hundred pounds. |
| General Information | Flaherty's section headings numbered I-IX (in square brackets) do not occur in the original text. They are used in the Incident descriptions in order to direct the user towards the relevant part of the text. Some corrections have been made to the dates in Flaherty's edition. |
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People
| ID | First name | Last name | Gender | Occupation | Domicile | Role in source | Incidents | Go to participant page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6314 | Philip | de Apoldre | Male | 2639 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6306 | John | Baker | Male | Eastling,Kent | Juror | Go to participant page | ||
| 6318 | Richard | Barbour | Male | Maidstone,Kent | 2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6340 | Robert | Beche | Male | Mason | London | 2644 | Go to participant page | |
| 11465 | John | Bellard | Male | 2639 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6282 | Richard | Bendour | Male | Benenden,Kent | 2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6298 | Stephen | de Betenham | Male | 2638 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6303 | William | Bocher | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 6324 | Thomas | Bordefeld | Male | Hunton,Kent | 2639,2642,2640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6311 | John | Bordoun | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 6341 | Thomas | Boteler | Male | Draper | London | 2644 | Go to participant page | |
| 6338 | William | Braybrok | Male | Fishmonger | London | 2644 | Go to participant page | |
| 6335 | William | Brenchesle | Male | 2642 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6336 | John | Brouston | Male | 2642 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6317 | John | Brown | Male | 2639 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6279 | Thomas | Bryght | Male | Loose,Kent | 2638,2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6313 | Alan | de Buxhill | Male | Constable of Kent | Constable | Go to participant page | ||
| 7028 | John | Charneye | Male | Coroner | Coroner | Go to participant page | ||
| 6299 | Thomas | de Cobham | Male | 2638 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6291 | Colkinus | Male | Fuller | Loose,Kent | 2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6287 | John | Cote | Male | Mason | Loose,Kent | 2639,2638,2641,2644,2642,2640,2643 | Go to participant page | |
| 6302 | Geoffrey | Coventre | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 6284 | John | Crotehole | Male | Cranbrook,Kent | 2639,2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6283 | Robert | Crotehole | Male | Cranbrook,Kent | 2638,2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6325 | Michael | Deggessell | Male | Marden,Kent | 2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6288 | William | Delton | Male | Linton,Kent | 2638,2640,2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6281 | Robert | Elmestede | Male | Frittenden,Kent | 2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6295 | John | de Frenyngham | Male | 2638,2642 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6309 | Peter | Gerald | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 6339 | William | Grandon | Male | Westminster,Middlesex | 2644 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6304 | John | Graveshende | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 6290 | Thomas | Gyles | Male | Loose,Kent | 2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6277 | Thomas | Hardyng | Male | Mason | Linton,Kent | 2639,2638 | Go to participant page | |
| 6297 | Thomas | Hartheregge | Male | 2638 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6285 | Richard | Headenne | Male | Staplehurst,Kent | 2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 7026 | John | Hende | Male | Sheriff of London | Sheriff | Go to participant page | ||
| 6319 | John | Hosyere | Male | Maidstone,Kent | 2640,2639,2643 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6280 | John | Iryssh | Male | East Farleigh,Kent | 2639,2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6331 | John | Kelysham | Male | 2641 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6334 | William | Leuysshethe | Male | 2641 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6289 | Roger | Lundenyssh | Male | 2641,2638 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6305 | Thomas | Macherou | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 6310 | William | Mayster | Male | Carpenter | Juror | Go to participant page | ||
| 6286 | Robert | Monselowe | Male | Marden,Kent | 2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6278 | John | Munde | Male | Hunton,Kent | 2638,2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6333 | John | Pacehurst | Male | Staplehurst,Kent | 2641 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6307 | John | Peires | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 6332 | John | Ree | Male | Marden,Kent | 2641 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6328 | Robert | Relmestede | Male | 2639 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6327 | William | Reve | Male | Marden,Kent | 2643,2639,2640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6294 | Ralph | Rook | Male | East Farleigh,Kent | 2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 7027 | John | Rote | Male | Sheriff of London | Sheriff | Go to participant page | ||
| 6321 | John | Selyng | Male | Maidstone,Kent | 2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6322 | John | Selyng | Male | Maidstone,Kent | 2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6300 | William | Septvans | Male | Sheriff | 2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6320 | William | Shepere | Male | Maidstone,Kent | 2640,2639,2643 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6301 | John | Skynnere | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 6312 | Adam | Smyth | Male | Loose,Kent | Juror | Go to participant page | ||
| 6315 | William | Smyth | Male | Loose,Kent | 2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6293 | John | Startout | Male | 2640,2639,2643,2638 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6326 | Richard | Stemyngden | Male | Marden,Kent | 2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6323 | John | Tendelok | Male | Carpenter | Maidstone,Kent | 2639,2640,2643 | Go to participant page | |
| 6296 | William | Topclyve | Male | 2638 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6292 | John | Waite | Male | Baker | 2638 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6329 | John | Watte | Male | Linton,Kent | 2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6316 | William | atte Welle | Male | Loose,Kent | 2640,2639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 6337 | Simon | Wennok | Male | 2642 | Go to participant page | |||
| 6308 | Giles | Westwode | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 6330 | John | Male | 2639 | Go to participant page |
Incidents
| ID | Summary | Description | Type | Go to incidents page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2643 | Acquittal of John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, 20 January 1383 | (Flaherty, 1861, item VIII). John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok are acquitted 20 Jan 1383 from Cote's appeal of treason. | Go to incidents page | |
| 2639 | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 | (Flaherty, 1861, item III). John Cote confessed that on night of 30 September 1381 he and Hardyng and 25 others, with other unknown malefactors congregated at Boughton Hegh near Melkhous and made insurrection, in that they plotted to force the king to confirm all liberties and pardons lately demanded at Mile End, on pain of death. He acknowledged that strangers from the north had related that John Duke of Lancaster had made all his natives free, and this being so, the aforesaid malefactors plotted to make him king. Cote became approver, and appealed the aforesaid malefactors of this felony and treason. | Treason: plotting against the King and his subjects,Warlike array and insurrection | Go to incidents page |
| 2638 | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 | (Flaherty, 1861, items I & II). Thomas Hardyng and 15 others rose at Linton on 30 September 1381, conspiring the deaths of the king, Sir Thomas Cobham, Sir William Septvans (the Sheriff), and others, and to burn Maidstone, and coerced two other men into joining them. They were apprehended on 8 October. Hardyng and nine others were tried, found guilty and sentenced to death on 15 October. One, Robert Munselowe, was found not guilty, but was detained in custody. Two others were remanded to the Tower without being charged. The trial of two others was deferred to 18 Nov, and one of these, John Cote, made a confession on 7 Oct 1381 (see Incident 2639). | Treason: plotting against the King and his subjects,Warlike array and insurrection,Trespass to person: threats,Raising the commons: forcing others to join company | Go to incidents page |
| 2640 | John Cote appeals various people of treason | (Flaherty, 1861, items IV, V & VII). John Cote appeals John Stertout 23rd Nov 1381; he pleads not guilty. Cote appeals William de Delton 27 Nov; he pleads not guilty and prepared to defend himself by duel. The duel is fought at Tothill 29 Nov; Cote wins, and Delton is sent back to prison. Cote appeals John Hosyere, William Sheper, William Reve, John Tendelek and Thomas Bordefeld 20 Jan 1382; they plead not guilty. Trial set for 15 days from Easter, along with that of John Startout. Cote appeals William atte Welle 18 Nov 1382; he pleads not guilty. | Go to incidents page | |
| 2644 | Pardon to John Cote, 4 May 1383 | (Flaherty, 1861, item IX). Pardon to John Cote for false accusation at request of Bishop of Norwich, 4 May 1383; he is acquitted, and William Braybrok, William Grandon, Robert Beche and Thomas Boteler stand surety each for £200. | Abuse of legal procedure: false accusation | Go to incidents page |
| 2641 | Pardon to Roger Lundenessh, 18 January 1382 | (Flaherty, 1861, item VI). Pardon to Roger Lundenessh 18 January 1382. He is acquitted and John Kelysham, John Ree, John Pacehurst and William Leuysshethe stand surety for £100 each. | Go to incidents page | |
| 2642 | Pardon to Thomas Bordefeld, 13 July 1382 | (Flaherty, 1861, item VI). Pardon to Thomas Bordefeld 13 July 1382, in which is stated that he informed John de Frennyngham of the planned insurrection of Hardyng and others (Incident 2639). He is acquitted, and John de Frennyngham, William Brenchesle, John Brouston, and Simon Wennok stand surety. | Go to incidents page |
Incidents and People
| Person | Incident | Role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Cote ( 6287 ) | Acquittal of John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, 20 January 1383 (2643) | Approver | |
| John Hosyere ( 6319 ) | Acquittal of John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, 20 January 1383 (2643) | Accused | |
| William Reve ( 6327 ) | Acquittal of John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, 20 January 1383 (2643) | Accused | |
| William Shepere ( 6320 ) | Acquittal of John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, 20 January 1383 (2643) | Accused | |
| John Startout ( 6293 ) | Acquittal of John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, 20 January 1383 (2643) | Accused | |
| John Tendelok ( 6323 ) | Acquittal of John Startout, John Hosyere, William Shepere, William Reve, and John Tendelok, 20 January 1383 (2643) | Accused | |
| Philip de Apoldre ( 6314 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| Richard Barbour ( 6318 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Bellard ( 11465 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Mentioned | |
| Thomas Bordefeld ( 6324 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Brown ( 6317 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| Thomas Bryght ( 6279 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Cote ( 6287 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Approver | |
| John Crotehole ( 6284 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| Robert Crotehole ( 6283 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| Michael Deggessell ( 6325 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| William Delton ( 6288 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| Thomas Hardyng ( 6277 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Hosyere ( 6319 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Iryssh ( 6280 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | First name missing in Cote's confession - assumed to be John Iryssh mentioned in the presentment. |
| John Munde ( 6278 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| Robert Relmestede ( 6328 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| William Reve ( 6327 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Selyng ( 6321 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Selyng ( 6322 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| William Shepere ( 6320 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| William Smyth ( 6315 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Startout ( 6293 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | Described as 'John Stertout, junior, of Lynton |
| Richard Stemyngden ( 6326 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Tendelok ( 6323 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John Watte ( 6329 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| William atte Welle ( 6316 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| John ( 6330 ) | Confession of John Cote re. night of 30 September 1381 (2639) | Accused | |
| Richard Bendour ( 6282 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Stephen de Betenham ( 6298 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Victim | |
| Thomas Bryght ( 6279 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Thomas de Cobham ( 6299 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Victim | |
| Colkinus ( 6291 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| John Cote ( 6287 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| John Crotehole ( 6284 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Robert Crotehole ( 6283 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| William Delton ( 6288 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Robert Elmestede ( 6281 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| John de Frenyngham ( 6295 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Victim | |
| Thomas Gyles ( 6290 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Thomas Hardyng ( 6277 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Thomas Hartheregge ( 6297 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Victim | |
| Richard Headenne ( 6285 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| John Iryssh ( 6280 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Roger Lundenyssh ( 6289 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Robert Monselowe ( 6286 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | Remanded to Tower (II); acquitted 23 November 1381 (III) |
| John Munde ( 6278 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Ralph Rook ( 6294 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| William Septvans ( 6300 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Victim | |
| John Startout ( 6293 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| William Topclyve ( 6296 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Victim | |
| John Waite ( 6292 ) | Insurrection of Thomas Hardyng and others at Linton, 30 September, 1381 (2638) | Accused | |
| Thomas Bordefeld ( 6324 ) | John Cote appeals various people of treason (2640) | Accused | |
| John Cote ( 6287 ) | John Cote appeals various people of treason (2640) | Approver | |
| William Delton ( 6288 ) | John Cote appeals various people of treason (2640) | Accused | |
| John Hosyere ( 6319 ) | John Cote appeals various people of treason (2640) | Accused | |
| William Reve ( 6327 ) | John Cote appeals various people of treason (2640) | Accused | |
| William Shepere ( 6320 ) | John Cote appeals various people of treason (2640) | Accused | |
| John Startout ( 6293 ) | John Cote appeals various people of treason (2640) | Accused | |
| John Tendelok ( 6323 ) | John Cote appeals various people of treason (2640) | Accused | |
| William atte Welle ( 6316 ) | John Cote appeals various people of treason (2640) | Accused | |
| Robert Beche ( 6340 ) | Pardon to John Cote, 4 May 1383 (2644) | Mainpernor | |
| Thomas Boteler ( 6341 ) | Pardon to John Cote, 4 May 1383 (2644) | Mainpernor | |
| William Braybrok ( 6338 ) | Pardon to John Cote, 4 May 1383 (2644) | Mainpernor | |
| John Cote ( 6287 ) | Pardon to John Cote, 4 May 1383 (2644) | Accused | |
| Henry Despenser ( 5642 ) | Pardon to John Cote, 4 May 1383 (2644) | Pardon at their request | |
| William Grandon ( 6339 ) | Pardon to John Cote, 4 May 1383 (2644) | Mainpernor | |
| John Cote ( 6287 ) | Pardon to Roger Lundenessh, 18 January 1382 (2641) | Approver | |
| John Kelysham ( 6331 ) | Pardon to Roger Lundenessh, 18 January 1382 (2641) | Mainpernor | |
| William Leuysshethe ( 6334 ) | Pardon to Roger Lundenessh, 18 January 1382 (2641) | Mainpernor | |
| Roger Lundenyssh ( 6289 ) | Pardon to Roger Lundenessh, 18 January 1382 (2641) | Accused | |
| John Pacehurst ( 6333 ) | Pardon to Roger Lundenessh, 18 January 1382 (2641) | Mainpernor | |
| John Ree ( 6332 ) | Pardon to Roger Lundenessh, 18 January 1382 (2641) | Mainpernor | |
| Thomas Bordefeld ( 6324 ) | Pardon to Thomas Bordefeld, 13 July 1382 (2642) | Accused | |
| William Brenchesle ( 6335 ) | Pardon to Thomas Bordefeld, 13 July 1382 (2642) | Mainpernor | |
| John Brouston ( 6336 ) | Pardon to Thomas Bordefeld, 13 July 1382 (2642) | Mainpernor | |
| John Cote ( 6287 ) | Pardon to Thomas Bordefeld, 13 July 1382 (2642) | Approver | |
| John de Frenyngham ( 6295 ) | Pardon to Thomas Bordefeld, 13 July 1382 (2642) | Mainpernor | |
| Simon Wennok ( 6337 ) | Pardon to Thomas Bordefeld, 13 July 1382 (2642) | Mainpernor |
