Pleas and gaol delivery before [Roger] North and others at Wisbech, 31 Aug. 38 Eliz. [1596].

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Preamble: letters patent; writ of assizes; gaol delivery commission.

1. Barbara Tompson of Ely, widow, is indicted that on 26 June 1596 she feloniously poisoned and murdered Henry Tompson and Richard Tompson at her dwelling house in Ely with pottage in a wooden dish containing a poison called white [monrye]. Confessed; to be hanged.

2. John Lambarde of Ely, labourer, is indicted that on 16 June 1596 he feloniously took and carried away a a white [sheep] worth eight shillings and two white lambs worth five shillings from Edward Stywarde esquire at Ely. Not guilty.

3. Thomas Tompson of March, labourer, is indicted that on 17 June 1596 he feloniously took and carried away 12 keys to the value of six shillings and a key band to the value of one pence from John Holmes at March. Not guilty.

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4. William Bromefield of Whittlesey, labourer, is indicted that on 18 June 1596 he feloniously took and drove a ewe and a lamb worth six shillings from Robert Buck at Whittlesey and on the same day six ewes worth five shillings each, four [lamb hogs] worth three shillings each and four lambs worth two shillings from Thomas Chessham at Whittlesey. Guilty; to be hanged.

5. Edward Bawtrye of Wisbech, labourer, and John Thorpe of Wisbech, labourer, are indicted that on 16 June 1596 they feloniously took and carried away a red petticoat worth five shillings from John Gogney at Wisbech. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

6. Thomas Sade of Ely, labourer, is indicted that on 11 June 1596 he feloniously took and carried away a fire plank worth ten pence from Robert Styvers at Ely. Confessed; to be whipped.

7. John Hares of Wisbech, labourer, is indicted that on 9 Aug. 1596 he feloniously took and carried away a purse with then pence in numbered money from Edward Calthrope at Wisbech. Guilty; to be whipped.

8. Margaret Smith of Ely, spinster and wife of John Smyth of Ely, labourer, is indicted that on 18 Apr. 1596 she feloniously took and carried away a brass kettle worth 12 pence from Philippa Allen, widow, at Ely. Guilty; to be whipped.

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9. Richard Bonnett of Wisbech, [hair weaver], is indicted that on 1 May 1596 he feloniously took and carried away four sheep [?skins] worth 11 pence from Thomas Howard esquire. Guilty; to be whipped.

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10. John Pierson of Wilton, Norfolk, husbandman, answered William Wase in an action of trespass on the case and breach of promise relating to five corn sacks worth 40 shillings. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

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11. John Laye of Ely, weaver, and Clement Nicholson of Ely, labourer, answered Humphrey Tyndall, Dean of Ely Cathedral, in an action of trespass that on 3 June 1596 with Mary, the wife of Clement, and Mary Hopkyn, widow, they broke and entered Tyndall’s close and house called Prestebore [?Priest’s House] in a lane called Newnan [?Newnham] in Ely. Laye and Nicholson arrested; to pay costs and damages.

12. John Whitecake of Coveney, yeoman, answered Henry Harding in an action of trespass that on 20 Aug. 1595 he broke into Harding’s dwelling house at Coveney. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

13. John Burges brings an action against Robert Yates relating to the sale and supply of three and a half yards of linen cloth worth 30 shillings. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

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14. Richard Garlopp of Doddington, miller, is summoned to answer Geoffrey Cockerell in an action of debt of 90 shillings relating to the lease of a messuage and one acre of land in Doddington, 20 Sept. 1593. Garlopp states the action is insufficient in law; to proceed to jury trial.

15. John Shepard of March, [occupation not stated], answered John Mobb in an action of trespass that on 14 Aug. 1594 he broke into Mobb’s close, called East Wood, and trampled the grass growing there with his feet. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

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16. Henry Tayler of Tydd St Giles, gentleman, is summoned to answer Roger Coe in an action of debt of 80 shillings relating to two coombs of barley and a sheep rack, 15 May 1595 at Leverington. The entry is incomplete; no outcome is stated.

17. Henry Tayler of Tydd St Giles, gentleman, is summoned to answer Roger Coe in an action of trespass that on 25 July 1595 he took a steer [belonging to Coe] worth five marks and sold it to an unknown person. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

18. Alice Hamont of Whittlesey, widow, answered George Searle in an action of trespass on the case relating to the goods and chattels of John Hamont deceased who died intestate, 25 Aug. 1595. Hamont arrested; to pay costs and damages.

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19. Edward Phipers of Haddenham, yeoman, answered John Kyrkes in an action of trespass that on 20 July 1595 his livestock trampled and overgrazed the grass growing in Kyrkes’ close at the Green in Haddenham causing damage. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

20. Romanus Dixon of Ely, draper, is summoned to answer Robert Ayer in an action of debt of 40 shillings relating to the sale of a quantity of raisins and currants and quantities of various cloth, 20 Dec. 1595 at Ely. Dixon fined; to pay costs and damages.

21. Romanus Dixon of Ely, draper, is summoned to answer Robert Ayer in an action of debt of 40 shillings relating to the sale of quantities of various cloth and buttons, 10 Jan. 1596 at Ely. Dixon acquitted; Ayer fined for bringing a false claim.

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22. Romanus Dixon of Ely, draper, is summoned to answer Robert Ayer in an action of debt of 40 shillings relating to the sale of quantities of various cloth, 6 Feb. 1596 at Ely. Dixon acquitted; Ayer fined for bringing a false claim.

23. Robert Ayer of Ely, draper, answered Romanus Dixon in an action of trespass on the case and breach of promise relating to the sale of 40 coombs of malt, 9 June 1596 at Ely. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

24. Robert Ayer of Ely, draper, answered Romanus Dixon in an action of debt of 66 shillings and seven pence relating to the sale of various quantities of raisins and currants, 10 Aug. 1594 at Ely. Ayer acquitted; Dixon fined for bringing a false claim.

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25. Robert Ayer of Ely, draper, answered Romanus Dixon in an action of account that on 28 Jan. 1596 he was a receiver of money in the sum of 25 shillings. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

26. William Savage of Haddenham, yeoman, answered Edward Marche in an action of trespass that on 30 June 1596 he broke into the close of Marche at Haddenham, and drove and led away five cows. Savage arrested; to pay costs and damages.

27. Romanus Dixon of Ely, chapman, is summoned to answer Edward Guy in an action of debt of 60 pounds, 12 shillings and eight pence relating to the sale of various pieces of cloth, 9 Dec. 1595 at Ely. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

28. Edward Younge of Abbots Ripton, Huntingdonshire, horse driver, is summoned to answer John Booty in an action of debt of 50 pounds relating to a bill of obligation of 21 Nov. 1586 at Wisbech. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

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29. John Crosse of Haddenham, widow and administrator of the goods and chattels of Thomas Crosse, lately her husband, who died intestate, is summoned to answer John Kyrkes in an action of debt of 44 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 17 Dec. 1592 at Haddenham. Crosse is fined.

30. John Crosse of Haddenham, widow and administrator of the goods and chattels of Thomas Crosse, lately her husband, who died intestate, is summoned to answer Edward Bell in an action of debt of six pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 11 Jan. 1594 at Haddenham. Crosse is fined.

31. Robert Watson of Wisbech, tailor, is summoned to answer Christopher Tompson in an action of debt of 40 shillings relating to the sale and supply of various quantities of broad cloth, 11 Dec. 1593 at Wisbech. Watson is fined.

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32. Thomas Whynnell of March, labourer, answered Ralph Sheappard in an action of trespass on the case that on 15 Aug. 1596 he publicly slandered Sheappard as a thief. Damages to be assessed at the next session.

33. William Wormestedd of Ely, waterman, answered Robert Barnes in an action of trespass on the case and breach of promise relating to the sale of three cart-loads of timber, 11 Nov. 1594 at Ely. Damages to be assessed at the next session.

34. Andrew Michelson of Wisbech, shoemaker, is summoned to answer Nicholas Shynn in an action of debt of 40 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 14 Dec. 1587 at Wisbech. Michelson is fined.

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35. Richard Greene of Walsoken, Norfolk, miller, answered Jasper [Larye] in an action of trespass on the case relating to Greene’s debt of 40 shillings owed to Thomas Baker, gentleman, 25 July 1594 at Wisbech. Damages to be assessed at the next session.

36. Francis Gates of Whittlesey, cleric, is summoned to answer Gamaliel Apstyn in an action of debt of 40 shillings, 21 Mar. 1594 at Whittlesey. Gates is fined.

37. Peter Gybbs of March, labourer, answered Ralph Shepard in an action of trespass on the case relating to the sale of 20 hundred [?2000] sheaves of hay or fother, 1 Sept. 1594 at March. Gybbs acquitted; Shepard fined for bringing a false claim.

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38. George Willons of Murrow, labourer, answered Ethelred [Audrey] Goddard in an action of trespass on the case and breach of promise relating to the lease of six [?cows] by her father, William Goddard, to Willons on 5 Nov. 1592 at Wisbech. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

39. Edward Browne and George Savage of Haddenham, [occupations not stated], are summoned to answer Robert Marche, gentleman, in an action of trespass that on 10 Mar. 1596 they took a brown heifer from Marche at a place called Grayes Yard in Haddenham. There is lengthy discussion of a statute of 19 Feb. 1593. To proceed to jury trial.

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Membrane 10r. Ely: pleas and gaol delivery. No heading, date or preamble. [Assumed to be 1596]

40. Elizabeth Tyllingham of Ely, spinster, being a witch as well of men as beasts, is indicted that on 20 Aug. 1595 she used, exercised and practiced enchantments, magical arts and witchcraft on Elizabeth Lawne at Ely causing her to languish and die. Not guilty.

41. Francis Pearson of Wisbech, labourer, is indicted that on 30 Oct. 1595 he feloniously took and drove a pig coloured red and white worth ten shillings from Thomas Whick at Wisbech. Not guilty.

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42. John Gadney of Whittlesey, labourer, is indicted that on 25 July 1595 he burgled the dwelling house of William Christofer at Whittlesey at about 11 o’clock at night putting William and his wife Elizabeth in fear of their lives, and took and carried away 16 pounds of linen yarn to the value of four shillings. Guilty; to be hanged.

43. Richard Bawtrye of Wisbech, labourer, is indicted that on 9 Dec. 1595 he feloniously took and led away a bay gelding worth 40 shillings from [Ismell] Penerton at Wisbech. Guilty; to be hanged.

44. Edmund Stewarde of March, gentleman, is indicted that on 21 Dec. 1595 he assaulted Barbara Stewarde, his wife, with a billet [a thick stick] causing her to languish and die. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

45. Jonas Roger of Upwell, labourer, is indicted that on 16 Nov. 1595 he feloniously took and carried away a [judnem] worth three shillings from William Pye at Upwell. He also indicted that on 18 Nov. 1595 he burgled the dwelling house of [John] Golde at Upwell at about 11 o’clock at night, assaulted Golde putting him in fear of his life and took and carried away a flitch of bacon worth ten shillings. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

46. Henry Pierson of Haddenham, labourer, and Robert Peareson of Haddenham, labourer, are indicted that on 25 Nov. 1595 they feloniously took and carried away two lambs worth 20 pence each from Edward Browne at Haddenham and on 12 Jan. 1596 they took and carried away a black ewe worth 12 pence from John Malyn. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

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47. Matthew Bentley of Upwell, labourer, is indicted that on 16 Nov. 1595 he feloniously took and carried away 20 shillings and six pence in numbered money from Walter Collen at Upwell. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

48. John Styvers of Stretham, labourer, is indicted that on 19 Dec. 1595 he feloniously took an drove five geese worth six pence each from an unknown person at Stretham. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

49. Thomas Barnarde of Tydd St Giles, labourer, George Ball of Tydd St Giles, labourer, and Elizabeth his wife are indicted that on 22 Jan. 1596 they feloniously took and drove two [?sheep] worth four pence each from Robert Monck. Elizabeth Ball not guilty; Barnarde and George Ball guilty, to be whipped.

50. Margery Cane of Chatteris, spinster, is indicted that on 25 Jan. 1596 she feloniously took and carried away two stone of hemp to the value of 11 pence from Robert Martyn at Chatteris. Confessed; to be whipped.

51. Thomas Burton of Ely, labourer, and Peter Blande of Ely, labourer, are indicted that on 27 Feb. 1596 they feloniously took and carried away [11] loaves of bread worth 11 pence from Anthony Hartley at Ely. Burton confessed; to be whipped.

52. Francis Gryme of Wisbech, labourer, Robert Dysplyn of Leverington, labourer, Giles Younge of Leverington, labourer, John Coop of Leverington, labourer, George Holmes of Doddington, labourer, Thomas Holmes of Doddington, labourer, and Elizabeth, his wife, Evan Griffith of Doddington, tailor, and Mary, his wife, are freed and acquitted.

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53. Thomas Scotred of Wisbech, butcher, answered Francis Parlett and John Bartholomew, gentleman, in an action of trespass that on 30 Sept. 1595 he broke and entered the close and house of Francis and John at Ship Lane in Wisbech. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

54. John Merrill of Witcham, yeoman, answered Robert Payne, gentleman, in an action of trespass on the case and breach of promise, 24 Jan. 1596 at Wilburton. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

55. Thomas Causby of Sutton, labourer, answered Andrew Chesewright junior in an action of trespass that on 28 July 1595 he mowed or cut down grass growing in the close of Chesewright at a placed called Middle More at Sutton. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

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56. Robert Channdler of Wisbech, currier, answered Francis Parlett and John Bartholomewe, gentleman, in an action of trespass that on 30 Sept. 1595 he broke and entered their house at Ship Lane in Wisbech. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

57. Simon Cannesby of Sutton, labourer, answered John Gunton in an action of trespass that on 12 Jan. 1596 broke into Gunton’s close at Sutton [Southmedland], and cut down and carried away willow trees to the value of 40 shillings. Damages to be assessed.

58. Simon Cannesby of Sutton, labourer, answered John Gunton in an action of trespass that on 24 Dec. 1595 he broke into Gunton’s close at Middle More Bank in Sutton with a pitchfork and lopped and carried away willows to the value of 40 shillings. Damages to be assessed.

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59. Robert Kene of Wisbech, carpenter, is summoned to answer John Fyncham, gentleman, in an action of debt of 51 shillings and eight pence relating to the lease of a messuage with appurtenances in Wisbech, 1 Aug. 1594. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

60. Nicholas Pyper of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, yeoman, answered John Carter in an action of trespass on the case and breach of promise relating to the sale and supply of various birds, namely 25 curlews, four peewits and six seamews [gulls], 7 Aug. 1595 at Wisbech. The entry is incomplete; no outcome is stated.

61. Edward Meakyn of Haddenham, husbandman, is summoned to answer John Kyrkes in an action of debt of 20 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 30 June 1590 at Haddenham. The bond is recited [but not transcribed in the record]. The entry is incomplete; no outcome is stated.

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