The People of 1381
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Source
| Type | Inquisitions Miscellaneous |
| Unique Identifying Text | TNA C 145/234 m.12 |
| Archive name | The National Archives (London) |
| County | Bedfordshire |
| Published source (may be more than one) | Cal. Inq. Misc. 1377-1388, p. 172, no. 307 |
| Text in Original Language | Ricardus dei gratia Rex Anglie et Francie et Dominus Hibernie Coronatoribus suis in comitatu Bed' salutem volentes certis de causis certiorari super tenore indictamenti coram vobis facti de morte Johannis Hobbe nuper servientis parsone ecclesie de Potton super visu corporis eiusdem Johannis unde Ricardus Okelyssale parsona ecclesie de Potton indictatus est ut dicitur et si idem Ricardus occasione predicta se retraxerit necne vobis precipimus quod tenorem indictamenti predicti nobis in cancellariam nostram sub sigillis vestris distincte et aperte sine dilacione mittatis et hoc breve Teste me ipso apud Westmonasterium viij die Septembris Anno regni nostri octavo Martyn [Dorse]: Willelmus Frenssh et Willelmus Fen... coronat' Execucio istius brevis patet in sedula huic brevi consut' Inquisitio capta apud Potton de morte Johannis Hobbe ibidem interfecti coram Willelmo Frenssh uno coronator' domini Regis in comitatu Bed' die Sabbati proxima post festum corporis Christi Anno regni Regis Ricardi secundi post conquestum quarto per quatuor villatas propinquiores videlicet Potton Sutton Wrastlyngworth et Hattele et per duodecim probos et legales homines jurator' videlicet per sacramentum Walteri Clement Willelmi Denyll Ricardi Juel Roberti Clogon Roberti Taillour de Wrastlyngworth Johannis Martyn Roberti Mechel Johannis Sparver Walteri Atte Well de Hattele Johannis Rychard Johannis Robyn et Galfridi Pychett Qui dicunt per sacramentum suum quod quidam Ricardus Ecclessale parsona ecclesie de Potton et Johannes Hobbe de eadem serviens eiusdem Ricardi apud Potton die Jovis in festo corporis Christi Anno regni Regis supradicto noctanter ante horam ignitegij in domo eiusdem Ricardi videlicet in Rectoria verba litigiosa inter eos movebantur ita quod prefatus Ricardus Ecclessale cultellum suum vocatum Trenchour extraxit et dictum Johannem Hobbe inde in pectore supra mamillam dexteram felonice percussit faciens ei unam plagam mortalem longitudin' unius pollicis et profunditat' sex pollic' unde ibidem statim obijt Quesit' qui fuerunt presentes quando hoc accidit dicunt quod quidam Ricardus Spyser serviens eiusdem Ricardi Ecclessale hoc facto prefatus Ricardus Ecclessale diffugit et se retraxit set quo devenit aut quis postmodum ipsum receptavit nesciunt nec aliquem alium inde habent quoquomodo suspectum preter prefatum Ricardum Ecclessale Et super inquis' catall' ipsius Ricardi Ecclessale supervenerunt insurrectores contra pacem dicti domini Regis videlicet magna multitudo hominum de diversis comitatibus quorum nomina ignorantur ita quod non potui inquirere nec exspectare super inquis' set cum omni festinacione et seleritate diffugi propter metum mortis Et eciam ulterius vobis certifico quod quidam Johannes atte Forthe qui tunc temporis erat capellanus paroch' ecclesie de Potton et locum tenens ipsius Ricardi Ecclessale ex assensu et concensu dicti Ricardi Ecclessale simul cum prefatis insurrectoribus die Dominica proxima post festum Corporis Christi Anno regni Regis supradict' noctanter coffreas et cistas ipsius Ricardi Ecclessale apud Potton fregerunt et bona et catalla atque iocalia ad valenciam CC li' in eisdem invent' que bona et catalla fuerunt forisfact' domino nostro Regi causa mortis prefati Johannis Hobbe et eciam alia bona et catalla infra claus' et domos suas invent' ad valenciam xx li' ceperunt et asportaverunt ut notum est per totam patriam Et prefatus Johannes atte Forthe habuit de predictis bonis et catallis forisfact' penes se ad valenciam xx li' que postea prefato Ricardo Ecclessale liberavit Et preterea prefatus Ricardus Ecclessale cum ad aures suas pervenerit que fuerunt nomina pariterque persone catalla predicta ... forisfact' asportant' graviter et maliciose versus eos prosequebatur tanquam pro catallis suis propriis ita quod prefatus Ricardus Ecclessale habuit et recepit de Johanne Cook de Haselyngfeld Thom' Cook de Barenton Johanne Coupere de Haselyngfeld et Johanne parson' ecclesie de Malkton et multis aliis bon' et catall' de predicta forisfacta videlicet ad valenciam xl li' et sic iniuste catall' dicti domini Regis detinet Ricardus dei gratia Rex Anglie et Francie et Dominus Hibernie dilecto sibi Thome Conele escaetor' suo in comitatu Bed' salutem Quia datum est nobis intelligi quod Ricardus Ecclessale parsona ecclesie de Potton qui pro felonia quam fecit se retraxit habuit diversa bona et catalla die perpetracionis felonie predicte que ad nos occasione predicta debeant pertinere et a nobis concelata et in manibus diversorum hominum comitatus predicti existunt Nos volentes indempnitati nostre in hac parte prospicere et per te inde plenius certiorari tibi precipimus quod per sacramentum proborum et legalium hominum de balliva tua per quos rei veritas melius sciri poterit diligenter inquiras si idem Ricardus pro huiusmodi felonia se retraxerit necne et si sic tunc quo tempore et que bona et catalla idem Ricardus die perpetracionis felonie predicte habuit et cuius precij fuerint seu valoris et ad quorum vel cuius manus devenerunt et in quibus manibus iam existunt Et inquisicionem inde distincte et aperte factam nobis in cancellariam nostram sub sigillo tuo et sigillis eorum per quos facta fuerit sine dilacione mittas et hoc breve Teste me ipso apud Westmonasterium xxv die Octobris Anno regni nostri octavo Burton Inquisitio capta apud Potton die Martis in vigilia sancti Andree apostuli Anno regni regis Ricardi secundi post conquestum Octavo coram Thoma Conele Escaetore domini Regis in comitatu Bed' virtute brevis domini Regis eidem Escaetori directi et huic inquisitioni consuti per sacramentum Ricardi Enderby Ricardi Juel Roberti Glogon Walteri Clement Johannis Clement Ricardi Saltwell Johannis London Johannis Kerkeby Roberti Mychel... Johannis Gery Johannis Guneld et Willelmi Bole juratorum Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod Ricardus Ecclessale parsona ecclesie de Potton in brevi contentus indictatus est de felonia pro qua se retraxit die Veneris proxima post festum corporis Christi Anno quarto regni regis nunc et habuit die perpetracionis felonie predicte apud Potton bona et catalla subscripta videlicet diversa bona et catalla appreciat' ad xiij li' coram Thoma Peyure nuper Escaetore domini Regis in comitatu predicto que bona et catalla predictus Escaetor liberavit Johanni Statton domino de Landras per breve Regis de privato sigillo Item dicunt quod predictus Ricardus Ecclessale habuit ibidem die et anno predictis unum librum vocatum Portos precii x marc' unum bolle Argenti precii C s' duo cocliar' argenti precii iij s' unam ollam eneam precii iij s' unum cloke de Blew precii dimid' marc' x li' de pecunia numerata in man' Johannis parson' ecclesie de Malkton et lxx s' in manibus diversorum hominum de Potton ultra appreciacionem predictam que bona et catalla predicta prefatus Ricardus Ecclesshale de predictis hominibus recepit et sic in manibus eiusdem Ricardi Ecclessale adhuc existunt Et quod v s' x d' de bonis et catallis predicti Ricardi Ecclessale devenerunt ad manus Johannis Sneterle de Potton et in manibus eiusdem Johannis Sneterle adhuc existunt. In cuius rei testimonium huic Inquisitioni predicti juratores sigilla sua apposuerunt. Dat' die loco et Anno supradictis. |
| Text (English translation) | Richard, by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland, to his coroners in the county of Bedfordshire, greetings. Wishing, for certain causes, to be made more certain about the tenor of an indictment, made before you, about the death of John Hobbe, late servant of the parson of the church of Potton, upon view of the body of the same John, whereof Richard Okelyssale, parson of the church of Potton, is indicted, as it is said, and if the same Richard by the aforesaid occasion withdrew himself, or not. We order you that you send the tenor of the aforesaid indictment to us into our Chancery under your seals clearly and openly without delay, and this writ. Witnessed by me, myself, at Westminster on the 8th day of September in the 8th year of our reign. [Dorse]: William Frenssh and William Fen..., coroners. The execution of this writ is clear in a schedule attached to this writ. Inquisition taken at Potton about the death of John Hobbe, killed there, before William Frenssh, one of the coroners of the lord king in the county of Bedfordshire, on Saturday next after the feast of Corpus Christi in the fourth year of the reign of King Richard II after the conquest, by the four nearest vills, viz Potton, Sutton, Wrestlingworth and Hatley, and by 12 upright and lawful men, sworn, viz by the oath of Walter Clement, William Denyll, Richard Juel, Robert Clogon, Robert Taillour of Wrestlingworth, John Martyn, Robert Mechel, John Sparver, Walter atte Well of Hatley, John Rychard, John Robyn and Geoffrey Pychett. Who say upon their oath that a certain Richard Ecclessale, parson of the church of Potton, and John Hobbe of the same, servant of the same Richard, at Potton, on Thursday in the feast of Corpus Christi in the abovesaid year of the king's reign, at night, before the hour of the curfew, in the house of the same Richard, viz in the rectory, moved contentious words between them, in such a way that the aforesaid Richard Ecclessale drew out his knife called a 'trenchour', and feloniously struck the said John Hobbe thereupon on his chest above the right breast, making upon him one mortal wound of the length of one inch and depth of six inches, whereof he immediately died there. Having been asked who were present when this happened, they say that a certain Richard Spyser, servant of the same Richard Ecclessale. After this had been done, the aforesaid Richard Ecclessale fled and withdrew himself, but where he went or who afterwards received him, they do not know, nor they have thereupon anyone else as a suspect except for the aforesaid Richard Ecclessale. And concerning an inquiry of the chattels of the same Richard Ecclessale, there intervened the insurrectors against the peace of the said lord king, viz a great multitude of men from diverse counties, whose names are not known, in such a way that I could not inquire or wait upon an inquiry, but with all haste and swiftness I fled on account of fear of death. And also I further certify to you that a certain John atte Forthe, who at that time was a chaplain of the parish church of Potton and lieutenant of the same Richard Ecclessale, with the assent and consent of the said Richard Ecclessale, together with the aforesaid insurrectors, on Sunday next after the feast of Corpus Christi in the abovesaid year of the king's reign, at night broke into the coffers and chests of the same Richard Ecclessale at Potton, and took and carried away goods and chattels and jewels to the value of £200, found in the same, which goods and chattels were forfeited to our lord king by reason of the death of the aforesaid John Hobbe, and also other goods and chattels found within his closes and houses to the value of £20, as is known throughout the whole country. And the aforesaid John atte Forthe had had from the aforesaid forfeited goods and chattels, remaining in his hands, to the value of £20, which afterwards he delivered to the aforesaid Richard Ecclessale. And furthermore the aforesaid Richard Ecclessale, when it reached his ears what the names were and equally the persons carrying away the aforesaid forfeited chattels, he seriously and maliciously brought suit against them as if for his own chattels, in such a way that the aforesaid Richard Ecclessale had and received from John Cook of Haslingfield, Thomas Cook of Barrington, John Coupere of Haslingfield and John, parson of the church of 'Malkton', and many others, goods and chattels from the aforesaid forfeiture, viz to the value of £40, and so he unjustly detains the chattels of the said lord king. Richard, by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland, to the beloved to him Thomas Conele, his escheator in the county of Bedfordshire, greetings. Because it is given to us to be understood that Richard Ecclessale, parson of the church of Potton, who withdrew himself for a felony, which he did, had diverse goods and chattels on the day of the carrying out of the aforesaid felony, which ought to pertain to us by the aforesaid occasion and are concealed from us and are in the hands of diverse men of the aforesaid county. We, wishing to look out for our indemnity in this matter, and to be made more fully certain by you thereupon, we order you that by the oath of upright and lawful men from your bailiwick, by whom the truth of the matter can be better known, you diligently inquire if the same Richard withdrew himself for this felony, or not, and if so, then at what time and what goods and chattels the same Richard had on the day of the carrying out of the aforesaid felony, and of what price or value they are, and to whose hands they passed, and in what hands they now are. And you are to send the inquisition, thereupon clearly and openly made, to us into our Chancery under your seal and the seals of those, by whom it will have been made, without delay, and this writ. Witnessed by me, myself, at Westminster on the 25th day of October in the 8th year of our reign. Burton. Inquisition, taken at Potton on Tuesday on the eve of St Andrew the apostle in the 8th year of the reign of King Richard II after the conquest before Thomas Conele, escheator of the lord king in the county of Bedfordshire, by virtue of a writ of the lord king, directed to the same escheator and attached to this inquisition, by the oath of Richard Enderby, Richard Juel, Robert Glogon, Walter Clement, John Clement, Richard Saltwell, John London, John Kerkeby, Robert Mychel..., John Gery, John Guneld and William Bole, sworn. Who say upon their oath that Richard Ecclessale, parson of the church of Potton, contained in the writ, is indicted of felony, for which he withdrew himself on Friday next after the feast of Corpus Christi in the fourth year of the reign of the now king, and he had on the day of the carrying out of the aforesaid felony at Potton goods and chattels, underwritten, viz diverse goods and chattels appraised at £13, before Thomas Peyure, late escheator of the lord king in the aforesaid county, which goods and chattels the aforesaid escheator delivered to John Statton, lord of Landiras, by writ of the king of privy seal. Item, they say that the aforesaid Richard Ecclessale had there on the day and in the year, aforesaid, one book called 'Portos' worth 10 marks, one silver bowl worth 100s, two silver spoons worth 3s, one brass pot worth 3s, one blue cloak worth half a mark, £10 in ready money in the hands of John, parson of the church of Malton, and 70s in the hands of diverse men of Potton, beyond the aforesaid appraisement, which aforesaid goods and chattels the aforesaid Richard Ecclesshale received from the aforesaid men, and so are still in the hands of the same Richard Ecclessale. And that 5s 10d from the goods and chattels of the aforesaid Richard Ecclessale came to the hands of John Sneterle of Potton and are still in the hands of the same John Sneterle. In testimony of which matter, to this inquisition the aforesaid jurors have affixed their seals. Dated the day, place and year, abovesaid. |
People
| ID | First name | Last name | Gender | Occupation | Domicile | Role in source | Incidents | Go to participant page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28529 | William | Bole | Male | 4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28523 | John | Clement | Male | 4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28502 | Walter | Clement | Male | 4682,4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28505 | Robert | Clogon | Male | 4682 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28520 | Thomas | Conele | Male | Escheator | Bedfordshire | 4685 | Go to participant page | |
| 28516 | John | Cook | Male | Haslingfield,Cambridgeshire | 4684 | Go to participant page | ||
| 28517 | Thomas | Cook | Male | Barrington,Cambridgeshire | 4684 | Go to participant page | ||
| 28518 | John | Coupere | Male | Haslingfield,Cambridgeshire | 4684 | Go to participant page | ||
| 28503 | William | Denyll | Male | 4682 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28514 | Richard | Ecclesshale | Male | Parson | Potton,Bedfordshire | 4682,4684,4685,4683 | Go to participant page | |
| 28521 | Richard | Enderby | Male | 4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28515 | John | atte Forthe | Male | Chaplain | Potton,Bedfordshire | 4683 | Go to participant page | |
| 28501 | William | Frenssh | Male | Coroner | Bedfordshire | 4682 | Go to participant page | |
| 28527 | John | Gery | Male | 4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28522 | Robert | Glogon | Male | 4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28528 | John | Guneld | Male | 4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28500 | John | Hobbe | Male | Servant | Potton,Bedfordshire | 4682,4683 | Go to participant page | |
| 28504 | Richard | Juel | Male | 4682,4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28526 | John | Kerkeby | Male | 4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28525 | John | London | Male | 4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28507 | John | Martyn | Male | 4682 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28508 | Robert | Mechel | Male | 4685,4682 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28530 | Thomas | Peyure | Male | Escheator | Bedfordshire | 4685 | Go to participant page | |
| 28513 | Geoffrey | Pychett | Male | 4682 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28512 | John | Robyn | Male | 4682 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28511 | John | Rychard | Male | 4682 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28524 | Richard | Saltwell | Male | 4685 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28532 | John | Sneterle | Male | Potton,Bedfordshire | 4685 | Go to participant page | ||
| 28509 | John | Sparver | Male | 4682 | Go to participant page | |||
| 28531 | John | Stratton | Male | Lord | Landiras, France | 4685 | Go to participant page | |
| 28506 | Robert | Taillour | Male | Wrestlingworth,Bedfordshire | 4682 | Go to participant page | ||
| 28510 | Walter | atte Well | Male | Hatley,Cambridgeshire | 4682 | Go to participant page | ||
| 28519 | John | Male | Parson | Malton,Cambridgeshire | 4684 | Go to participant page |
Incidents
| ID | Summary | Description | Type | Go to incidents page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4685 | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale | Inquiry into the goods and chattels of Richard Ecclesshale, who is indicted for felony and fled on Friday 14 June 1381. | Go to incidents page | |
| 4683 | John atte Forthe steals goods of Richard Ecclesshale that are forfeit to the king | John atte Forthe, chaplain of the church of Potton, with the assent of Richard Ecclessale, and with the aid of the rebels, on Sunday 16 June 1381 broke into the chests of Richard Ecclessale at Potton and carried away £200 of goods, chattels and jewels which were forfeit to the king on account of the murder of John Hobbe, and later handed them over to Richard Ecclesshale. | Larceny: theft of goods,Trespass to chattels: removal of goods | Go to incidents page |
| 4682 | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton | Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton stabs to death his servant John Hobbe on Thursday 13 June 1381 at Potton, witnessed by another servant Richard Spyser. He afterwards fled, and the coroner William Frenssh was unable to conduct an inquiry into his chattels due to the arrival of a great multitude of rebels from various counties, but instead fled in fear of his life. | Homicide: wounding | Go to incidents page |
| 4684 | Richard Ecclesshale falsely accuses those who removed his forfeited possessions | Richard Ecclesshale brings malicious suits against those who have carried away his chattels which are forfeit to the king. | Abuse of legal procedure: false accusation | Go to incidents page |
Incidents and People
| Person | Incident | Role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Bole ( 28529 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| John Clement ( 28523 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| Walter Clement ( 28502 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| Thomas Conele ( 28520 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Escheator | |
| Richard Ecclesshale ( 28514 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Accused | |
| Richard Enderby ( 28521 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| John Gery ( 28527 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| Robert Glogon ( 28522 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| John Guneld ( 28528 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| Richard Juel ( 28504 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| John Kerkeby ( 28526 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| John London ( 28525 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| Robert Mechel ( 28508 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| Thomas Peyure ( 28530 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Escheator | |
| Richard Saltwell ( 28524 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Juror | |
| John Sneterle ( 28532 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Mentioned | |
| John Stratton ( 28531 ) | Inquiry into possessions of Richard Ecclesshale (4685) | Mentioned | |
| Richard Ecclesshale ( 28514 ) | John atte Forthe steals goods of Richard Ecclesshale that are forfeit to the king (4683) | Mentioned | |
| John atte Forthe ( 28515 ) | John atte Forthe steals goods of Richard Ecclesshale that are forfeit to the king (4683) | Accused | |
| John Hobbe ( 28500 ) | John atte Forthe steals goods of Richard Ecclesshale that are forfeit to the king (4683) | Mentioned | |
| Walter Clement ( 28502 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| Robert Clogon ( 28505 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| William Denyll ( 28503 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| Richard Ecclesshale ( 28514 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Accused | |
| William Frenssh ( 28501 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Coroner | |
| John Hobbe ( 28500 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Victim | |
| Richard Juel ( 28504 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| John Martyn ( 28507 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| Robert Mechel ( 28508 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| Geoffrey Pychett ( 28513 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| John Robyn ( 28512 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| John Rychard ( 28511 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| John Sparver ( 28509 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| Robert Taillour ( 28506 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| Walter atte Well ( 28510 ) | Killing of John Hobbe by Richard Ecclessale parson of Potton (4682) | Juror | |
| John Cook ( 28516 ) | Richard Ecclesshale falsely accuses those who removed his forfeited possessions (4684) | Victim | |
| Thomas Cook ( 28517 ) | Richard Ecclesshale falsely accuses those who removed his forfeited possessions (4684) | Victim | |
| John Coupere ( 28518 ) | Richard Ecclesshale falsely accuses those who removed his forfeited possessions (4684) | Victim | |
| Richard Ecclesshale ( 28514 ) | Richard Ecclesshale falsely accuses those who removed his forfeited possessions (4684) | Accused | |
| John ( 28519 ) | Richard Ecclesshale falsely accuses those who removed his forfeited possessions (4684) | Victim |
