The People of 1381
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Source
| Type | Indictment by jury |
| Unique Identifying Text | TNA KB 27/485 rex m. 34 |
| Archive name | The National Archives (London) |
| County | Middlesex |
| Published source (may be more than one) | Reville p. 203 No. 23 |
| Text (English translation) | Middlesex A jury from various hundreds in the aforesaid county previously, that is in the Easter term of the fifth year of the present king's reign, presented before the lord king at Westminster that Robert Gardyner of Holborn came with a great crowd, feloniously and treacherously, to the house of St John at Clerkenwell, and there killed seven men called Flemings, whose names are unknown, on the Thursday on the feast of Corpus Christi in the fourth year of the reign of King Richard, the second after the conquest. And it was also presented in this same term before the lord king at Westminster that Robert Gardyner of the county of Middlesex, on the Thursday on the feast of Corpus Christi in the fourth year of the present king's reign, came to the house of Clerkenwell with other malefactors and there decapitated seven men feloniously and treacherously, and also took a chalice at Clerkenwell to the value of a hundred shillings, feloniously and treacherously and against the lord king's peace etc. And that he is a common thief. For which reason the sheriff was ordered not to fail etc. but to seize him if etc. And now, that is on the Monday following the quinzaine of St John the Baptist in this same term, the aforesaid Robert Gardyner appeared before the lord king at Westminster and surrendered himself to the prison of the lord king's marshal for the aforesaid reasons; and he is handed over to the marshal. And immediately, led by the marshal, he appears and is asked how he wishes to acquit himself of the aforesaid felonies and treasons. He says that the present lord king has of his special grace pardoned to him the suit of his peace that belongs to him for all manner of treasons and felonies done or perpetrated by him in the aforesaid insurrections, by his letters parent 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 his bailiffs and all his faithful to whom the present letters come, greetings. Know that out of reverence for God and at the special request of Anne, queen of England, our most dear consort, and from consideration of the good and faithful conduct of our subjects towards our progenitors and us, which we have experienced before the insurrections of certain rebels of ours, which have lately taken place against us and our peace, and so that our individual subjects might have happier hearts to remain faithfully in faith and love towards us, we have, of our special grace, pardoned to Robert Polayne of Holborn, gardener, the suit of our peace which belongs to us from him, for all manner of treasons and felonies done or perpetrated in any way by him in the aforesaid insurrections, from the first day of May last until the feast of All Saints following, for which he has been indicted, accused or charged, and also outlawries, if any have been pronounced against him for these reasons, and we grant him our permanent peace on this, provided however that he did not kill the venerable father Simon of good memory, archbishop of Canterbury, lately 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 is not an approver or appealed of such treasons or felonies, nor did he escape from or leave prison and not surrender himself to the same prison. Provided always that the parties harmed in the aforesaid insurrections should have and be able to pursue any action by which it is not possible to proceed to a judgement of life, for recovery of their damages and losses in this matter against the aforesaid Robert, as might seem beneficial to them. In testimony of which thing we have had these our letters patent made. Witness myself at Westminster, the second day of February in the fifth year of our reign. |
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People
| ID | First name | Last name | Gender | Occupation | Domicile | Role in source | Incidents | Go to participant page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27048 | Robert | Gardyner | Male | Gardener | Holborn,Middlesex | 4488 | Go to participant page |
Incidents
| ID | Summary | Description | Type | Go to incidents page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4488 | Robert Gardyner kills seven Flemings at Clerkenwell | Robert Gardyner of Holborn came with a great crowd on Thursday 13 June 1381 to the house of St John at Clerkenwell, and there decapitated seven Flemings, whose names are unknown, and stole a chalice worth 100 shillings. | Larceny: theft of goods,Homicide: beheading | Go to incidents page |
Incidents and People
| Person | Incident | Role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Gardyner ( 27048 ) | Robert Gardyner kills seven Flemings at Clerkenwell (4488) | Accused |
