The People of 1381
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Source
| Type | Indictment by jury |
| Unique Identifying Text | TNA JUST 1/103 m. 10 |
| Archive name | The National Archives (London) |
| County | Cambridgeshire |
| Published source (may be more than one) | mm. 10 and the cases re. Adam Clymme and William Combere on 10d have been taken from English Economic History: Select Documents, ed. A. E. Bland, P. A. Brown and R. H. Tawney (London, 1914), pp. 106-9, largely verbatim, although some punctuation has been changed, dates have been converted to modern form, and names of jury members added. |
| Text in Original Language | m. 10 Infra Insulam de Ely. Placita tenta ibidem coram Hugone' la Zouch' et sociis suis iustic' dom' Reg' ad insurrectores et malefactores puniendum et castigandum assign' in com' Cant' die iovis proxima ante festum Sancte Margarete Virgnis anno regni regis Ricardi secundi quarto. Inquisitio capta ibidem dicto die iovis per sacramentum Iohannis Baker Iohannis Peyntor Thome Pilrym Willelmi Craunfeld Iohannis' Beneyt Roberti Beneyt Willelmi Wygenhal Benedicti Russell Iohannes Wetynge Ricardi Sopere Willelmi Wurmegeye et Iohannis Queye qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod Ricardus de Leycestre de Ely die sabbati proxima post festum Corporis Christi anno domini Regis nunc quarto ex mera voluntate sua primus insurrexit congregand' sibi Iohannem Buk de Ely ac alios quamplures malefactores ignotos et ivit per totam villam de Ely precipiend' ut omnes homines cuiuscumque status insurgerent et secum irant' ad diversis proditores destruend' quod eis nominaret ex parte domini Regis Ricardi et fidel' communitat'. Et super hoc fecit diversas proclamaciones sediciose et in preiudicium domini Regis per quod populus ville de Ely et aliarum villat' insul' predicte multipliciter perturbatus fuerat et deterioratus. Item dicunt quod idem Ricardus die dominica sequent' precepit Iohanni Shethere de Ely glovere Iohanni Dassh skynnere Iohanni Tylneye wryght' et Iohanni Reder de Ely Thome Litster de Ely Ricardo Swoun de Ely et Iohanni Milner de Ely ac pluribus aliis ibidem congregat' de communibus ut irent secum in monasterium de Ely ad standum secum dum in pulpit eiusdem monasterii publice ostenderet eis ac omnibus aliis negocia ex parte Regis Ricardo et communitatis versus proditores ac alios infideles agenda et hoc sub pena arcionis domorum suorum et decoll' capit' suorum. Et sic idem Ricardus fuit notorius ductor et congregator felonice et in preiudicium corone domini Regis omnia predicta implen'. Item dicunt quod idem Ricardus die lune proximo sequente apud Ely ut principalis ductor et insurrector cum predictis superiis nominates et plures aliis ignotis de societate sua felonice fregit prisonam domini Episcopi Eliensis apud Ely et diversos felones ibidem imprisonatos felonice abduxit. Et quod idem Ricardus dicto die lune apud Ely felonice adiudicavit Edmundum de Walsyngham unum iustic' domini Regis de pace in comitatu Cantabrege ad mortem per quod idem Edmundus tunc felonice fuit decollatus et capud eius super pillorium ibidem positus fuit et in perniciosum exemplum. Et quod idem Ricardus fuit precepter principalis et ductor ad omnia felonias sediciones et alia malefacta infra Insulam tempore predicto perpetrat' et co. Et super hoc predictus Ricardus captus est per iustic' predictos et postea coram eis ductus et de omnibus feloniis et sedicionibus predictis articulatum allocutus est et diligenter examinatus qualiter de premissis se velit acquietare qui nichil ad ea respondit set protulit quamdam protectionem domini Regis sibi concessam pro securitate corporis sui et rerum suarum per unum annum duratur' secundum formam et effectum in cancellaria domini Regis visitat' et dicit quod non intendit occasionam seu de aliquibus super ipsum present' per iustic' inquietare virtute protectionis predicte et co. Et quesitum est a prefato Ricardo si aliquid aliud ad premissa velit respondere sub periculo quod incumbit eo quod protect' predicta minus sufficiens est ad eum acquietand' de premissis seu de aliquo articulo eorumdem. Et super hoc idem Ricardus non ulterius dedixit aliqua premissorum super ipsum present' sed dixit ulterius respondere nescio et teneo me commitum. Et quia liquet et satis constat prefat' iustic' quod idem Ric' culpabile est de omnibus feloniis et sedicionibus predictis prout coram eisdem modo legit' compertum est. Ideo per discrecionem dictorum iustic' tractus et suspensus est eodem die et anno et co. Et quod terre et tenemente sua bona et catalla sua domino Reg' sunt forisfac' prout lex requirit. Et precept' est Radulphus atte Wyk Esc' domini Reg' quod faciat statim inde debitam execucionem pro domino Reg' et co. Et sciendum est quod compertum est coram prefatis iustic' quod idem Ricardus habet unam shopam in le Bocherie in Ely que valet per anno ult' repris' x s. Et catalla ad valenciam xl marcatorum que idem Radulphum statim seis'. [tractaus et suspensus; inquis' catalla] Item predicti iurati dicunt quod Iohannes Buk de Ely fuit sociis predicti Ricardi Leycestr' toto tempore insurrectionis et rumoris apud Ely ad omnia felonias prodiciones et malefacta proficiend' unus dictus Ricardus indictatus est. Et precipue quod idem Iohannes ex malicia sua tempore quo Edmundus de Walsyngham adiudicatus fuit ad mortem ad eum felonice accessit et quamdam bursam ipsius Edmundi cum quadraginta et duobus denar' et obol' tunice ipsius attach' felonice arripuit et in dictum Edmundum violenter insultum fecit tractand' eum ad locum decollacionis sue et dictos denar' asportavit precii xii d. quos inde dedit Iohann' Deye de Wyvelyngham quam ipsum Edmundum ibidem felonice decollavit pro labore ipsius Iohannis. Et super hoc predictus Iohannes Buk captus est et statim ductus coram prefatis Iustic' et allocutus est de premissis articulatim qualiter ad illa venit respondere seu ipsum acquietare. Qui dicit quod ad omnia Edmundum ' de Walsingham tangenc' un' allocutus est venit cum multis aliis ad videndum f[...] dicti Edmundi et audiend' causam mortis sue et non alio modo et hoc ex precept' diversorum dicte commun'. Et ulterius quesitum est ab eo ex cuius precepto ibidem accessit et bursam cum pecunia predicta de dicto Edmundo in forma predicta arripuit qui dixit quod credit ex precepto diaboli. Et facebatis ulterius qualiter et quo modo ipso predictam bursam cum pecunia predicta administravit ut superius compertum est. Et ad omnia alia super ipsum presentatur nichil ulterius respondit. Et quia satis liquet et constat tam per cognicionem suam propriam quam alio modo legit' comperta' quod idem Iohannes culpabile est de omnibus feloniis et prodicionibus predictis. Ideo per discrecionem dictorum iustic' tractus et suspensus est et co. Et quod terre et tenemente sua bona et catalla sunt domino Rege forisfact' prout lex requirit. Et preceptum est Radulphus atte Wyke Esc' dom' Reg' quod faciat inde debitam execucionem statim pro domino Rege et co. quia compertum est coram prefatis iustic' quod hab' bona et catalla ad valenciam xx li. que idem Radulphus statim seisinavit et ulterius fec' execucionem et co. [inquisitus catalla] |
| Text (English translation) | m. 10 Pleas in the Isle of Ely before the justices appointed in the county of Cambridge to punish and chastise insurgents and their misdeeds, on Thursday 18th July 1381. Inquisition taken there on the said Thursday by the oath of John Baker, John Peyntor, Thomas Pilrym, William Craunfeld, John Beneyt, Robert Beneyt, William Wygenhal, Benedict Russell, John Wetynge, Richard Sopere, William Wurmegeye and John Queye, who say on their oath that Richard de Leycestre of Ely on Saturday 15th June 1381, of his own will made insurrection, gathering to himself John Buk of Ely and many other evildoers unknown, and went through the whole town of Ely, commanding that all men, of whatsoever estate, should make insurrection and go with him to destroy divers traitors whom he would name to them on behalf of the lord King Richard and the faithful commons; and hereupon he made divers proclamations seditiously and to the prejudice of the lord the King, whereby the people of the same town of Ely and other townships of the isle aforesaid were greatly disturbed and injured. Further they say that the same Richard [de Leycestre] on Sunday following commanded John Shethere of Ely, Elias Glovere, John Dassh, skinner, John Tylneye, wright, and John Redere of Ely, Thomas Litstere of Ely, Richard Swonn of Ely and John Milnere of Ely and many others of the commons there assembled, that they should go with him to the monastery of Ely to stand with him, while he, in the pulpit of the same monastery, should declare to them and all others the matters to be performed on behalf of King Richard and the commons against traitors and other disloyal men, and this under pain of the burning of their houses and the taking off of their heads; and so the same Richard [de Leycestre] was a notorious leader and assembler feloniously, and committed all the aforesaid acts to the prejudice of the crown of the lord the King. Further they say that the same Richard on Monday next following at Ely, as principal leader and insurgent, with the aforesaid men above named and many others unknown of his fellowship, feloniously broke the prison of the lord Bishop of Ely at Ely and feloniously led away divers felons there imprisoned. And that the same Richard on the said Monday at Ely feloniously adjudged to death Edmund de Walsyngham, one of the justices of the peace of the lord the King in the county of Cambridge, whereby the said Edmund was then feloniously beheaded and his head set on the pillory there, the same being a pernicious example. And that the same Richard was the principal commander and leader in all the felonies, seditions and other misdeeds committed within the isle at the time aforesaid, etc. And hereupon the aforesaid Richard was taken by the justices aforesaid and afterwards brought before them and charged and diligently examined touching all the felonies and seditions aforesaid, article by article, in what manner he would acquit himself thereof; and he made no answer thereto but proffered a protection of the lord the King granted to him for the security of his person and his possessions to endure for one year according to the form and effect used in the Chancery of the lord the King; and he says that he does not intend to be annoyed or disquieted touching any presentments made against him by the justices, by virtue of the protection aforesaid, etc. And the aforesaid Richard was asked if he would make any other answer to the premises under the peril incumbent, in that the protection aforesaid is insufficient to acquit him of the premises or of any article of the same. And hereupon the same Richard made no further denial of any of the premises presented against him, but said, "I cannot make further answer, and I hold myself convicted." And because it is clear and plain enough to the aforesaid justices that the same Richard is guilty of all the felonies and seditions aforesaid, as has been found before the same justices in lawful manner, therefore by the discretion of the said justices he was drawn and hanged the same day and year, etc., and [it was adjudged] that his lands and tenements, goods and chattels, should be forfeit to the lord the King, as law requires. And order was made to Ralph atte Wyk, escheator of the lord the King, that he should make due execution thereof forthwith for the lord the King, etc. And it is to be known that it was found before the aforesaid justices that the same Richard has a shop in "le Bocherie" in Ely, which is worth yearly beyond reprises 10s., and chattels to the value of 40 marks, which the same Ralph seized forthwith, etc. Further the aforesaid jurors say that John Buk of Ely was a fellow of the aforesaid Richard Leycestre all the time of the insurrection and tumult at Ely in the accomplishing of all the felonies, treasons and misdeeds, whereof the said Richard was indicted. And specially that the same John, of his malice, at the time when Edmund de Walsyngham was adjudged to death, feloniously came to him and feloniously snatched a purse of Edmund attached to his tunic containing 42½d., and violently assaulted the said Edmund, dragging him to the place of his beheading, and carried away the said money except 12d. thereof which he gave to John Deye of Willingham, who there feloniously beheaded Edmund, for his labour. And hereupon the aforesaid John Buk was taken and brought forthwith before the aforesaid justices and charged touching the premises article by article, in what manner he will make answer thereto or acquit himself. And he says that as to all the matters touching Edmund de Walsyngham whereof he is charged, he came with many others to see the end of the said Edmund and to hear the cause of his death, and not otherwise, and this by the command of divers of the said commons. And he was asked further by whose command he came there and snatched the purse with the money aforesaid from the said Edmund in the form aforesaid, and he said that he believes it was by command of the devil. And he confessed further how and in what manner he dealt with the aforesaid purse with the money aforesaid, as was found above. And to all other presentments made against him he made no further answer. And because it is clear and plain enough, as well by his own acknowledgment as by lawful finding otherwise, that the same John is guilty of all the felonies and treasons aforesaid, therefore by the discretion of the said justices he was drawn and hanged, etc.; and [it was adjudged] that his lands and tenements, goods and chattels, should be forfeit to the lord the King, as law requires. And order was made to Ralph atte Wyk, escheator of the lord the King, that he should make due execution thereof forthwith for the lord the King, etc., because it was found before the aforesaid justices that he has goods and chattels to the value of £20, which the same Ralph seized forthwith and made further execution, etc. |
| Image of Source |  |
People
| ID | First name | Last name | Gender | Occupation | Domicile | Role in source | Incidents | Go to participant page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17120 | John | Baker | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17124 | John | Beneyt | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17125 | Robert | Beneyt | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17133 | John | Buk | Male | Ely,Cambridgeshire | 3639 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17192 | John | Buk | Male | Ely,Cambridgeshire | 3644 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17123 | William | Craunfeld | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17136 | John | Dassh | Male | Skinner | 3640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17193 | John | Deye | Male | Willingham,Cambridgeshire | 3644 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17135 | Elias | Glovere | Male | 3640 | Go to participant page | |||
| 17132 | Richard | de Leycestre | Male | Ely,Cambridgeshire | 3639,3644,3642,3643,3640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17139 | Thomas | Litstere | Male | Ely,Cambridgeshire | 3640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17141 | John | Milnere | Male | Ely,Cambridgeshire | 3640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17121 | John | Peyntor | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17122 | Thomas | Pilrym | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17131 | John | Queye | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17138 | John | Redere | Male | Ely,Cambridgeshire | 3640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17127 | Benedict | Russell | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17134 | John | Shethere | Male | Ely,Cambridgeshire | 3640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17129 | Richard | Sopere | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17140 | Richard | Swonn | Male | Ely,Cambridgeshire | 3640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17137 | John | Tylneye | Male | Wright | 3640 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17174 | Edmund | de Walsyngham | Male | Justice | 3644,3643 | Go to participant page | ||
| 17128 | John | Wetynge | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17130 | William | Wurmegeye | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17126 | William | Wygenhal | Male | Juror | Go to participant page | |||
| 17194 | Ralph | atte Wyk | Male | Escheator | 3644 | Go to participant page |
Incidents
| ID | Summary | Description | Type | Go to incidents page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3644 | John Buk aids Richard de Leycestre in his crimes | Further the aforesaid jurors say that John Buk of Ely was a fellow of the aforesaid Richard Leycestre all the time of the insurrection and tumult at Ely in the accomplishing of all the felonies, treasons and misdeeds, whereof the said Richard was indicted. And specially that the same John, of his malice, at the time when Edmund de Walsyngham was adjudged to death, feloniously came to him and feloniously snatched a purse of Edmund attached to his tunic containing 42½d., and violently assaulted the said Edmund, dragging him to the place of his beheading, and carried away the said money except 12d. thereof which he gave to John Deye of Willingham, who there feloniously beheaded Edmund, for his labour. [He confesses to committing these acts under influence of the devil, is found guilty and hanged, and his possessions are forfeit.] | Raising the commons: other,Larceny: theft of money,Trespass to person: assault,Homicide: beheading,Abuse of legal procedure: false accusation | Go to incidents page |
| 3642 | Richard de Leycestre breaks into the prison of the Bishop of Ely | [The jurors] also say that the same Richard on Monday next following at Ely, as principal leader and insurgent, with the aforesaid men above named and many others unknown of his fellowship, feloniously broke the prison of the lord Bishop of Ely at Ely and feloniously led away divers felons there imprisoned. | Breach of prison | Go to incidents page |
| 3643 | Richard de Leycestre condemns Edmund de Walsyngham to death by beheading | And that the same Richard on the said Monday at Ely feloniously adjudged to death Edmund de Walsyngham, one of the justices of the peace of the lord the King in the county of Cambridge, whereby the said Edmund was then feloniously beheaded and his head set on the pillory there, the same being a pernicious example. And that the same Richard was the principal commander and leader in all the felonies, seditions and other misdeeds committed within the isle at the time aforesaid, etc. | Homicide: beheading,Abuse of legal procedure: false accusation | Go to incidents page |
| 3639 | Richard de Leycestre leads insurrection in Ely | Inquisition taken there on the said Thursday by the oath of John Baker, John Peyntor, Thomas Pilrym, William Craunfeld, John Beneyt, Robert Beneyt, William Wygenhal, Benedict Russell, John Wetynge, Richard Sopere, William Wurmegeye and John Queye, who say on their oath that Richard de Leycestre of Ely on Saturday 15th June 1381, of his own will made insurrection, gathering to himself John Buk of Ely and many other evildoers unknown, and went through the whole town of Ely, commanding that all men, of whatsoever estate, should make insurrection and go with him to destroy divers traitors whom he would name to them on behalf of the lord King Richard and the faithful commons; and hereupon he made divers proclamations seditiously and to the prejudice of the lord the King, whereby the people of the same town of Ely and other townships of the isle aforesaid were greatly disturbed and injured. | Raising the commons: forcing others to join company,Raising the commons: proclamations | Go to incidents page |
| 3640 | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely | [The jurors] also say that the same Richard [de Leycestre] on the Sunday following commanded John Shethere of Ely, Elias Glovere, John Dassh, skinner, John Tylneye, wright, and John Redere of Ely, Thomas Litstere of Ely, Richard Swonn of Ely and John Milnere of Ely and many others of the commons there assembled, that they should go with him to the monastery of Ely to stand with him, while he, in the pulpit of the same monastery, should declare to them and all others the matters to be performed on behalf of King Richard and the commons against traitors and other disloyal men, and this under pain of the burning of their houses and the taking off of their heads; and so the same Richard [de Leycestre] was a notorious leader and assembler feloniously, and committed all the aforesaid acts to the prejudice of the crown of the lord the King. | Raising the commons: proclamations,Raising the commons: forcing others to join company,Trespass to person: threats | Go to incidents page |
Incidents and People
| Person | Incident | Role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Buk ( 17192 ) | John Buk aids Richard de Leycestre in his crimes (3644) | Accused | |
| John Deye ( 17193 ) | John Buk aids Richard de Leycestre in his crimes (3644) | Accused | |
| Richard de Leycestre ( 17132 ) | John Buk aids Richard de Leycestre in his crimes (3644) | Accused | |
| Edmund de Walsyngham ( 17174 ) | John Buk aids Richard de Leycestre in his crimes (3644) | Victim | |
| Ralph atte Wyk ( 17194 ) | John Buk aids Richard de Leycestre in his crimes (3644) | Escheator | |
| Thomas Arundel ( 9537 ) | Richard de Leycestre breaks into the prison of the Bishop of Ely (3642) | Victim | |
| Richard de Leycestre ( 17132 ) | Richard de Leycestre breaks into the prison of the Bishop of Ely (3642) | Accused | |
| Richard de Leycestre ( 17132 ) | Richard de Leycestre condemns Edmund de Walsyngham to death by beheading (3643) | Accused | |
| Edmund de Walsyngham ( 17174 ) | Richard de Leycestre condemns Edmund de Walsyngham to death by beheading (3643) | Victim | |
| John Buk ( 17133 ) | Richard de Leycestre leads insurrection in Ely (3639) | Accused | |
| Richard de Leycestre ( 17132 ) | Richard de Leycestre leads insurrection in Ely (3639) | Accused | |
| John Dassh ( 17136 ) | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely (3640) | Accused | |
| Elias Glovere ( 17135 ) | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely (3640) | Accused | |
| Richard de Leycestre ( 17132 ) | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely (3640) | Accused | |
| Thomas Litstere ( 17139 ) | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely (3640) | Accused | |
| John Milnere ( 17141 ) | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely (3640) | Accused | |
| John Redere ( 17138 ) | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely (3640) | Accused | |
| John Shethere ( 17134 ) | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely (3640) | Accused | |
| Richard Swonn ( 17140 ) | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely (3640) | Accused | |
| John Tylneye ( 17137 ) | Richard de Leycestre orders others to come with him to the monastery of Ely (3640) | Accused |
