People of 1381 Database

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Source


Type	Indictment by jury
Unique Identifying Text	TNA JUST 1/103 m. 5
Archive name	The National Archives (London)
County	Cambridgeshire
Published source (may be more than one)	Extracts printed in W. Palmer, 'Records of the Villein Insurrection in Cambridgeshire', East Anglian, n.s., vi (1896). Discussed in Powell, Rising in East Anglia, pp. 41-56. There are translations of the John Shirley case in the following: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/humanrights/1215-1500/doc-revolt-translation.htm (TNA online exhibition on Human Rights); English Economic History: Select Documents, ed. A. E. Bland, P. A. Brown and R. H. Tawney (London, 1914), pp. 110-11 and R. B. Dobson, The Peasants' Revolt of 1381, 2nd ed., introduction pp. xxviii-xxix. The translation given here is from the first source.
Text in Original Language	Cantebrigia. Adhuc de placita tenta ibidem coram Hugon' la Zouch et sociis suis assignatis domini Regis ad insurrectores et perturbatores pacis sedand' puniend' et castigand' in comitatu predicto die martis proxima ante festum Sancti Margarete' virginis anno regni regis Ricardi secundi quinto. Cantabregia. Iohannes Shirle de com' Notyngham captus est pro eo quod compertum est quod ipse fuit vagabundus per diversos comitatus' toto tempore perturbacionis insurrecionis et rumoris gerens mendacia ac frivola incomoda de patria in patriam per quod pax domini Regis cuius infringi potuit et populus inquietari et turbari. Et inter alia verba ruinosa scilicet post proclamacionem pacis domini Regis fact' die et anno supradictis. Assignatis dom' Reg' in villa existent' et sedentibus dixit in quadam taberna in vico de Briggestrete Cantabregie ubi multi congregati fuerunt pro novis ac frivolis ab eo audiend' quod senescallus domini Regis iusticiarii et alii quamplures officiarii et ministris ipsius Regis digniores essent tractari et suspend' ac aliis penis et tormentis legalibus pati quam Iohannes Balle capellanus proditor et felo legitime convictus que dixit quod ipse per dictos ministros ex assensu Reg' falso iniuste et per invidiam condempnatus fuit ad mortem eo quod fuit verus et probus hominum prophetrans et utilia communitatis Regni et narrans iniusia et oppressiones per Regem et ministros predictos populo facere cuius mors non erit impunite set infra brevi bene remindatus tam Rege' quam officiaris et ministris suis predictis que dicta et mine sonant in preiudicium corone domini Regis et contemptum et inquietacionem populi manifestum. Et super hoc predictus Iohannes Shirle statim per vicecom' ductus est coram prefatis assignatis in castellum Cantebregie. Et allocutus est de premissis et diligenter examinatus tam de conversacione sua quam de mora et status sui quibus coram prefatis assignatis per ipsum cognitus de malo gestu et condicione plane constat et liquet. Et insuper requisit' testibus fidedignis in presencia sua tunc temporis existentibus dicti predicta mendacia verba mala mine et ffrivola per ipsum dicta fuerunt et ipsis iurat' de veritatis in hac parte dicend' omnia predicta super ipsum imposita esse vera per ipsum dicti testantur quo alias examinacio non dedixit premissa sibi imposita. Ideo per discrecionem dictorum assignat' suspensus est. Et preceptum Esc' quod diligenter inquirat de terris et ten' bonis et catall' suis et quod inde faciat debitam execucionem pro domino Rege. [Sus' fforisfact'] [Cantabregia] Inquisitio capta ibidem hac die ex officio per xii et co. Qui inter alia dicunt per sacramentum suum quod Robertus Beylham fuit unus de primis ad insurgendum contra Priorem de Bernewell et fecit Maiorem vill' Cantabregie movere se in illo proposito versus dictum Priorem scilicet diebus sabati dominica et lune proximis post festum Corporis Christi anno quarto domini Regis nunc contra pacem domini Regis nunc tempore turbacionis insurrecionis et rumoris. Et idem Robertus captus est et coram prefatis assignatis per vicecom' ductus et certis de causis comititur prisona sub custodia vic' ibidem morature usque ad proximam adventum eorundem et co. Et postea scilicet die lune in festo Sancte Marie Magdalene tunc proximo sequente venerunt predicti assignati domini Regis in castrum Cantabregie. Et similiter predictus Robertus venit per vice' ductus. Et allocutus est de articulis et indictamentis predictis qualiter inde se velit acquietare. Qui dicit quod in nullo est culpabile de premissis sibi impositis. Et de hoc ponit se super patriam et co. Et super hoc facta est iurata tam per fforincecos com' predicti quam per interciteros vill' Cantebegie' per vic' arraiatos scilicet duodecim qui ven' et ad hoc electi triati et iurati et co. Et proclamacione facta est pro domino Rege ut moris est et co. et nullus ven'. Et predicti iurati dicunt per sacramentum suum quod predictus Robertum in nullo est culpabile de premissis sibi impositus nec quod se retraxit occasionibus predictis et co. Ideo per discrecionem dictorum assignatorum eat inde quietus. Et inventus pleg' de se bene gerendo versus dominum Regem et populum Iohannem Marchal Thomum Lolleworth Willelmum Beylham et Iohannem Berle draper et co. Et ipse iuratus est paci et co. [Quietus] Robertus Stokhale captus pro eo quod present' est quod ipse die lune proxima post festum Corporis Christi anno domini Regis nunc quarto post proclamacionem pacis domini Regis facta insurrexit cum aliis malefactoribus ignotis et nocte dies predicti apud Cantabregium felonice quoddam columbarium Rogeri de Harlaston combuss' ac columbas de volatu columbar' predicti pro chelas ne evaderent obstupavit ex malicia sua precogitata. Et quod ipse fuit notorius malefactor tempore rumoris in villa' predicta'. Et quod idem Robertus die dominica proxima post festum Corporis Christi anno supradicto ven' cum aliis ignot' ad hospic' Rogeri de Harlaston Cant' et ibidem pannos laneos cuiusdem lecti predicti precii dimidum marcas ac alia bona et catalla ibidem invent' felonice furat' fuit. Et quod idem Robertus die et anno predictis quemdam domum dicti Rogeri apud Cantabregiam cum pluribus aliis insurrectoribus fregit et coverlyt paled blak and blu' precii v s. felonice furatus fuit et alia bona et catalla ibidem depradavit. Et quod est communis malefactor. Et ipse venit per vicecom' ductus et allocutus est de prodicionibus et feloniis predictis qualiter inde se velit acquietare et co. Et ipse dicit quod in nullo est culpabile de premissis sibi impositis. Et de hoc ponit se super patriam de bono et malo. Et super hoc preceptum fuit vice' quod venire fac' statim xxxvi liberos et legales homines de visneto' et co. et qui nec et co. ad fac' diversas iuratas pro domino Rege de articulis predictis et co. Et sciendum est quod predicti iuratores venerent ad tres dies a se distantes coram prefat' assignat' apud Cantabregia scilicet proximis sessionibus predictorum assignatorum post hunc diem. Qui ad hoc seperatim in tribus iurat' elect' triati et iurati ad recogniscend' si predictis Robertus culpabil' sic necnon et co. scilicet qualibet iurata de uno articulo per se. Qui seperatim dicunt per sacramentum suum quod predict' Robertus in nullo est culpabile se premissis sibi imposit' nec quod se retraxit occasionibus predict' [...] dictorum assign' inde eat quietus. Et super hoc proclamacione publice facta si alia [...] vel semel ipso dicer' velit aut sciat versus dictum Robertum de malo et [...] [...]hoc Iohannes Stokale Ricardus Blangrom Willelmus Lemes et Galfrid' Ber[...] Robertum de se bene gerendo versus dominum Regem et populum decetero et [...] sub condicione predicta. Et ipse iuratus est pan' prout moris est et co. [Quietus] Iohannes Rynell de Foulmere alias captus pro suspectione insurrectionis tempore [...] in societate Iohannis Hanchach ductoris malefactorum ad domum Willelmi Bateman [...] dominica proxima post festum Corporis Christi anno domini Regis nunc quarto [...] alia quamplura robberias et malefacta ibidem perpetrate fuerunt. Et quod ipse [...] clausibus eisdem pertin' predicti Willelmi ibidem cepisset et ad opus suum proprium vendidisse [...] de causis committitur prison' quosuque et co. Et postea ven' predictus Iohannes coram prefatis assignatis per vicecom' ductus. Et de premissis allocutus et diligenter examinatus est qui dicit quo et essend' ibidem tempore predicto quod ipse coactis fuit vi et potencia predicti Iohannem Hanchach et aliorum ignotorum et metu mortis ibidem ductus absque hoc quod aliquod modo ibidem fecit prout et co. Et hoc petit quod inquiratur per patriam et co. Et sciendum est quod inquisitum fuit per diversas inq' ad hoc elect' et iurat' tunc de articulis predictis quod de gestu et condicione ipsius Iohannis tempore predicto per quas considerat' est quod in nullo est culpabile de maleficiis predictis. Et dictus ibidem prout ipse superius alleg'. Et quod ipse est bonis fame et condicionis. Et proclamacione fact' et co. Et nullus ven'. Ideo recessit quietus et co. Et pleg' de sua bono gestu' Iohannes Fremen Petrus Lylly Iohannes Bole Richardus Michel et co. Et iuratus est paci' et co. [Quietus]
Text (English translation)	Pleas held before Hugh la Zouche and his associates, justices of the lord king appointed to subdue, punish and chastise rebels and disturbers of the peace in the aforesaid county [Cambridgeshire] on Tuesday immediately before the feast of St Margaret the Virgin, in the fifth year of the reign of King Richard the Second [16 July 1381]. John Shirle of the county of Nottingham was arrested on the grounds that he was clearly wandering through divers counties at the time of the [recent] disturbance, rebellion and mayhem, spreading lies and falsehoods from region to region, likely to cause trouble and to breach the king's peace and alarm and disturb the people, and for making derogatory statements after the proclamation of the king's peace on the abovementioned day and year. While the justices of the lord king were present and resident in the town, he said in an inn in Bridge Street in Cambridge, where many people had gathered to hear fresh falsehoods from him, that the steward of the lord king, his justices and many other officials and ministers of the king were worthy to be drawn and hanged and suffer the other punishments and tortures prescribed by the law than the priest, John Balle, who had been convicted by law as a traitor and a felon, because he said that [Ball] had been condemned to death by the said ministers, with the assent of the king, falsely, unjustly and maliciously, simply for being a true and honest man, speaking out about the councils and courts of the realm and telling of the injustices and oppressions inflicted by the king and the said ministers upon the people, and his death will not go unpunished, but within a short time will be repaid by the king and his officials and ministers. These words and threats were both injurious to the crown and made to the manifest contempt and alarm of the people. Whereupon the said John Shirle was immediately taken by the sheriff before the said justices in Cambridge castle, where he was interrogated about these matters and closely examined concerning the conduct of his life and his place of residence and also with respect to his status. This information was acknowledged by him before the justices, and it was clearly established that he was of low bearing and estate. In addition trustworthy witnesses were questioned who had been present at the time that he had spoken these lies, evil words, threats and falsehoods, and after they had been sworn to tell the truth about these matters, they gave evidence that all the things that he was alleged to have said, had indeed been said by him, and when he was examined separately, he did not deny the allegations. Therefore, by judgement of the said commissioners, he was hanged. And the escheator was ordered to inquire diligently into his lands and tenements, goods and chattels, and to dispose of them accordingly on behalf of the king. Cambridge. Inquisition held on the same day by the office of twelve [jurors], who amongst other things say upon their oath that Robert Beylham was one of the first to rise against the Prior of Barnwell, and made the mayor of Cambridge bestir himself in that design against the said Prior, namely, on Saturday 15th, Sunday 16th and Monday 17th June 1381, against the king's peace, at the time of the disturbance, insurrection and rumour. And the same Robert has been arrested and brought before the justices by the sheriff, and concerning certain causes he is committed to sheriff under custody of the sheriff until the next sitting of the justices. And after, namely on Monday 22nd July 1381, they went to the assigned king's justices at Cambridge, and similarly Robert came led by the sheriff. And he was asked how he wished to acquit himself of the charges, and he said that he was not guilty, and places himself upon his country. And on this a jury was formed from people within and outside the aforesaid district, amongst others from the town of Cambridge, assembled by the sheriff, namely twelve who come as necessary, elected, tried and sworn. And a proclamation is made on behalf of the king as necessary, and no-one comes. And the aforesaid jury say upon their oath that the aforesaid Robert is not guilty of the charges, and nor did he withdraw himself on the aforesaid occasion. Thus by the judgement of the justices he is acquitted, and pledges come for his good conduct regarding the king and people: John Marchal, Thomas Lolleworth, William Beylham and John Berle, draper. And he is sworn to the peace. (Acquitted). Robert Stokhale was arrested because it was presented that on Monday 17th June 1381, after the king's proclamation of the peace, he rose up with other unknown wrongdoers, and on the night of the aforesaid day at Cambridge he feloniously burnt a dovecot of Roger de Herlaston, along with doves who could not fly from the aforesaid dovecot as he had sealed it up, with premeditated malice. And that he was a notorious wrongdoer at the time of the rumour in the aforesaid town. And that the same Robert, on Sunday 16th June 1381 went with others unknown to the residence of Roger de Harlaston at Cambridge, and there feloniously stole his woollen bedclothes worth half a mark and others goods and chattels. And that the same Robert on the aforesaid day broke into a certain house belonging to the said Roger at Cambridge with many other rebels and feloniously stole a black and blue coverlet worth 5 s. and plundered other goods and chattels. And he is a common wrongdoer. And he appears led by the sheriff and is questioned as to how he wishes to acquit himself of the aforesaid treasons and felonies, and he says he is not guilty, and places himself upon his country for good or ill. And on this it was ordered to the sheriff to immediately assemble 36 free and law-worthy men of the neighbourhood to make a jury for the king on the aforesaid articles. And be it known that the aforesaid jurors came over three days separately before the aforesaid justices at Cambridge, namely, the nearest session of the aforesaid justices after this day. And to this purpose they were separated into three groups, elected, tried and sworn, to inquire whether the aforesaid Robert was guilty or not, namely, each sworn to a single article. And they separately say upon their oath that the aforesaid Robert is not guilty of the crimes of which he is accused, and nor did he withdraw himself on the aforesaid occasion. Therefore by the judgement of the justices he goes acquitted. And a public proclamation is made if anyone wishes to say anything or knows anything against Robert [he should come forward, and no-one comes. And pledges come for his good behaviour]: John Stokale, Richard Blangrom, William Lemes and Geoffrey Ber[...]. John Rynell of Fowlmere, otherwise arrested on suspicion that at the time of the insurrection he was in the company of John Hanchach, leader of wrongdoers at the house of William Bateman on Sunday 16th June 1381 and many robberies and wrongdoings were committed. And that he [broke] the close of the same William, and appropriated and sold to his own use certain possessions of his, for which cause he is committed to prison. And afterwards the aforesaid John came before the justices, led by the sheriff, and he was diligently examined and questioned on the charges, and he said that he was with Hanchach at the aforesaid time, he was coerced by force and led by Hanchach and unknown others in fear of his life, or else he would not have done so. And he asks that this be inquired into, and be it known that an inquiry was held by various elected and sworn to this purpose, who, inquiring into the aforesaid articles and the deeds and character of the same John at the aforesaid time, judge that he is not guilty of the aforesaid wrongdoings, and it is as it is as he alleges above. And that he is of good reputation and character. And a proclamation is made, and no-one comes. Therefore he withdraws acquitted, and pledges come for his good behaviour: John Fremen, Peter Lylly, John Bole, Richard Michel. And he is sworn to the peace. (Acquitted).
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People

ID	First name	Last name	Gender	Occupation	Domicile	Incidents	Go to participant page
25495	John	Balle	Male			4353	Go to participant page
25510	William	Bateman	Male			4357	Go to participant page
25508	Geoffrey	Ber[...]	Male			4356	Go to participant page
25502	John	Berle	Male	Draper		4354	Go to participant page
25496	Robert	Beylham	Male			4354	Go to participant page
25501	William	Beylham	Male			4354	Go to participant page
25506	Richard	Blangrom	Male			4356	Go to participant page
25514	John	Bole	Male			4357	Go to participant page
25512	John	Freman	Male			4357	Go to participant page
25511	John	Hanchach	Male			4357	Go to participant page
25504	Roger	de Herlaston	Male			4356,4355	Go to participant page
25507	William	Lemes	Male			4356	Go to participant page
25500	Thomas	Lolleworth	Male			4354	Go to participant page
25513	Peter	Lylly	Male			4357	Go to participant page
25499	John	Marchal	Male			4354	Go to participant page
25515	Richard	Michel	Male			4357	Go to participant page
25497	Ralph	de Norton	Male	Prior	Barnwell,Cambridgeshire	4354	Go to participant page
25498	Edmund	Redmedwe	Male	Mayor	Cambridge,Cambridgeshire	4354	Go to participant page
25509	John	Rynell	Male		Fowlmere,Cambridgeshire	4357	Go to participant page
25494	John	Shirle	Male		Nottingham,Nottinghamshire	4353	Go to participant page
25505	John	Stokale	Male			4356	Go to participant page
25503	Robert	Stokhale	Male			4356,4355	Go to participant page

Incidents

ID	Summary	Description	Type	Go to incidents page
4357	John Rynell plunders William Bateman in company of John Hanchach	John Rynell of Fowlmere, otherwise arrested on suspicion that at the time of the insurrection he was in the company of John Hanchach, leader of wrongdoers at the house of William Bateman on Sunday 16th June 1381 and many robberies and wrongdoings were committed. And that he [broke] the close of the same William, and appropriated and sold to his own use certain possessions of his, for which cause he is committed to prison. He appears and pleads coercion by Hanchach; he is acquitted.	Larceny: theft of goods,Trespass to chattels: removal of goods,Raising the commons: forcing others to join company	Go to incidents page
4353	John Shirle spreads malicious rumours	John Shirle of Nottingham was arrested on the grounds that at the time of the rising he wandered through various counties spreading lies and falsehoods; and he said in an inn in Bridge Street, Cambridge, that the king's officials should be hanged rather than John Balle, who was a true and honest man, whose death would not go unpunished. He was questioned as to these allegations in Cambridge Castle; he admitted his guilt and was hanged.	Treason: words against King and his people	Go to incidents page
4354	Robert Beylham rises against the Prior of Barnwell	Robert Beylham was one of the first to rise against the Prior of Barnwell, and made the mayor of Cambridge bestir himself in that design against the said Prior, namely, on Saturday 15th, Sunday 16th and Monday 17th June 1381, against the king's peace, at the time of the disturbance, insurrection and rumour.		Go to incidents page
4355	Robert Stokhale burns a dovecot of Roger de Herlaston	Robert Stokhale was arrested because it was presented that on Monday 17th June 1381, after the king's proclamation of the peace, he rose up with other unknown wrongdoers, and on the night of the aforesaid day at Cambridge he feloniously burnt a dovecot of Roger de Herlaston, along with doves who could not fly from the aforesaid dovecot as he had sealed it up, with premeditated malice. And that he was a notorious wrongdoer at the time of the rumour in the aforesaid town.	Larceny: theft of livestock	Go to incidents page
4356	Robert Stokhale plunders Roger de Herlaston	Robert Stokhale, on Sunday 16th June 1381 went with others unknown to the residence of Roger de Harlaston at Cambridge, and there feloniously stole his woollen bedclothes worth half a mark and others goods and chattels. And that the same Robert on the aforesaid day broke into a certain house belonging to the said Roger at Cambridge with many other rebels and feloniously stole a black and blue coverlet worth 5 s. and plundered other goods and chattels. And he is a common wrongdoer.	Trespass to chattels: removal of goods,Larceny: theft of goods,Trespass to land: forcible entry of close and houses	Go to incidents page

Incidents and People

Person	Incident	Role
William Bateman ( 25510 )	John Rynell plunders William Bateman in company of John Hanchach (4357)	Victim
John Bole ( 25514 )	John Rynell plunders William Bateman in company of John Hanchach (4357)	Mainpernor
John Freman ( 25512 )	John Rynell plunders William Bateman in company of John Hanchach (4357)	Mainpernor
John Hanchach ( 25511 )	John Rynell plunders William Bateman in company of John Hanchach (4357)	Mentioned
Peter Lylly ( 25513 )	John Rynell plunders William Bateman in company of John Hanchach (4357)	Mainpernor
Richard Michel ( 25515 )	John Rynell plunders William Bateman in company of John Hanchach (4357)	Mainpernor
John Rynell ( 25509 )	John Rynell plunders William Bateman in company of John Hanchach (4357)	Accused
John Balle ( 25495 )	John Shirle spreads malicious rumours (4353)	Mentioned
John Shirle ( 25494 )	John Shirle spreads malicious rumours (4353)	Accused
John Berle ( 25502 )	Robert Beylham rises against the Prior of Barnwell (4354)	Mainpernor
Robert Beylham ( 25496 )	Robert Beylham rises against the Prior of Barnwell (4354)	Accused
William Beylham ( 25501 )	Robert Beylham rises against the Prior of Barnwell (4354)	Mainpernor
Thomas Lolleworth ( 25500 )	Robert Beylham rises against the Prior of Barnwell (4354)	Mainpernor
John Marchal ( 25499 )	Robert Beylham rises against the Prior of Barnwell (4354)	Mainpernor
Ralph de Norton ( 25497 )	Robert Beylham rises against the Prior of Barnwell (4354)	Victim
Edmund Redmedwe ( 25498 )	Robert Beylham rises against the Prior of Barnwell (4354)	Victim
Roger de Herlaston ( 25504 )	Robert Stokhale burns a dovecot of Roger de Herlaston (4355)	Victim
Robert Stokhale ( 25503 )	Robert Stokhale burns a dovecot of Roger de Herlaston (4355)	Accused
Geoffrey Ber[...] ( 25508 )	Robert Stokhale plunders Roger de Herlaston (4356)	Mainpernor
Richard Blangrom ( 25506 )	Robert Stokhale plunders Roger de Herlaston (4356)	Mainpernor
Roger de Herlaston ( 25504 )	Robert Stokhale plunders Roger de Herlaston (4356)	Victim
William Lemes ( 25507 )	Robert Stokhale plunders Roger de Herlaston (4356)	Mainpernor
John Stokale ( 25505 )	Robert Stokhale plunders Roger de Herlaston (4356)	Mainpernor
Robert Stokhale ( 25503 )	Robert Stokhale plunders Roger de Herlaston (4356)	Accused