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Preamble: letters patent, writs of assize and gaol delivery commission.

1. George Webbe of Hockwold-cum-Wilton, Norfolk, is indicted that on 14 Oct. 1573 he feloniously took and drove off seven cows worth twenty shillings [each], three heifers worth twenty shillings [each] and a black steer worth twenty shillings from Richard Cannam at Wisbech. Guilty; pled benefit of clergy but found to be illiterate; to be hanged.

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2. John Carlton of Ely, labourer, is indicted that on 10 Oct. 1573 he feloniously took and drove off a black cow worth twenty shillings from William Styward, gentleman, at Ely. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

3. Agnes Phicas of Chatteris, spinster, is indicted that on 4 Nov. 1572 she forcibly broke and entered the close of Agnes Sladan at Chatteris with sticks or cudgels and feloniously took and carried away a sheet and three kerchers [kerchiefs] to the value of five shillings and nine pence. Not guilty.

4. Henry Buck of Wilburton, labourer, Richard Wood of Ely, labourer, Thomas Blythe of Outwell, tailor, John Johnson of Stretham, smith, Agnes Wright of Haddenham, widow, Agnes Wright of Haddenham, spinster, Elizabeth Thorne of Haddenham, spinster, Henry Serle of Ely, yeoman, Robert Barrett of Stretham, labourer, Richard Flower of Stretham, labourer, and Catherine Rowlyn of Ely, spinster, are freed and acquitted.

5. Thomas Rosell of Whittlesey, yeoman, is bound to appear at the next plea session at Wisbech under financial penalty.

6. Thomas Smythe of Mepal, husbandman, and Emma his wife are bailed. Lawrence Charles of Mepal, gentleman, and John Foster of Sutton, husbandman, act as surety.

7. Edward Storye of Wisbech, yeoman, is bound to appear at the next plea session at Wisbech under financial penalty.

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8. Thomas Smythe is bound to act as surety for Robert Norman in a plea of debt brought by Edward Gunton.

9. Edward Wilkes of Wisbech, yeoman, is bound to act as surety for George Walker in a plea of trespass on the case brought by John Boston.

10. Thomas Robynson of Wisbech, yeoman, is bound to act as surety for John Robynson in a plea of debt brought by William Alman.

11. Thomas Robynson of Wisbech, yeoman, is bound to act as surety for George Walker in a plea of trespass brought by William Alman and Catherine, his wife.

12. Robert Carter of Wisbech, yeoman, and Thomas Robynson of Wisbech, yeoman, are bound to act as surety for Richard Turney in a plea of trespass on the case brought by Arthur Wyche.

13. William Franklyn of King’s Lynne, Norfolk, gentleman, is bound to act as surety for Richard Turney in a plea of trespass on the case.

14. John Osteler of Haddenham, wman [waterman], is bound to appear in court.

15. Vincent Dale of Haddenham, husbandman, is bound to act as surety for Henry Dawkyn in a plea of debt brought by Richard Cobbe.

16. John Buck of Thetford, husbandman, and John Beamys of Thetford, husbandman, are bound to act as surety for Thomas Gallant of Wilburton, gentleman, in a plea of debt brought by Edward Marche.

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17. John Buck of Thetford, husbandman, and John Beamys of Thetford, husbandman, are bound to act as surety for Thomas Gallant in a plea of debt brought by Agnes Marche.

18. John Buck of Thetford, husbandman, and John Beamys of Thetford, husbandman, are bound to act as surety for Anthony Collyns in a plea of trespass on the case brought by Agnes Marche.

19. Thomas Reignold of Chatteris, husbandman, and Thomas Bruis of Chatteris, gentleman, act as surety for William Grene in a plea of debt brought by John Kirke.

20. Edmund Pigott of Ely, yeoman, acts as surety for John Graylynge of Downham, husbandman, in a plea of trespass brought by the Lord Bishop of Ely.

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21. Richard Revell of Wisbech, fisherman, answers Thomas Makepeace in a plea of trespass and ejection that on 26 July 1573 he ejected Makepeace from seven and a half acres of pasture with appurtenances in Wisbech which William Mobbe had leased to Makepeace for a term which had not yet expired. Revell is acquitted; Makepeace is fined.

22. Thomas Phipers of Haddenham, husbandman, answers Richard Ferrer in a plea of trespass that on 26 July 1573 at Haddenham he assaulted, wounded, beat and maltreated Ferrer leaving him in despair of his life. Phipers is fined.

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23. Martin Harborowe of Haddenham, labourer, answered William Chawier in a plea of trespass and ejection that on 20 June 1573 he ejected, expelled and removed Chawier from a tenement and garden with appurtenances in Haddenham. To proceed to jury trial.

24. William Norman of Mepal, labourer, and [Ralph] Spalton of Chatteris, drover, answered Edward Gunton in a plea of non-payment of three pounds, 12 shillings and four pence relating to the sale of two steers on 2 Nov. 1571. Norman and Spalton are fined.

25. William Grene of Chatteris, husbandman, answered Richard Kirke and John Kirke, executors of the will of John Kirke deceased, in a plea of non-payment of five marks relating to the sale of two bulls on 20 Oct. 1570 at Chatteris. [A verdict is given but the text is too faded to be decipherable.]

Membrane 4r. 26. Richard Randes of Sutton, [occupation not stated], answered Richard Upcher of Sutton, yeoman, in a plea of trespass on the case that on 25 Oct. 1572 he did, in scandalous words, accuse Upcher of being a thief, a knave and a villain. To proceed to jury trial.

27. Robert Perkyn of Whittlesey, husbandman, answered Ralph Boyle in a plea of trespass on the case according to a bond of obligation made 8 Feb. 1573 relating to a debt of six pounds with John Boyle of London. To proceed to jury trial.

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28. John Robynson of Wisbech, husbandman, answered William Almon and [Catherine] his wife in a plea of trespass that on 31 Aug. 1572 he broke and entered their close at Wisbech, trampled the grass growing there with his feet and took and carried away six cart-loads of hay. To proceed to jury trial.

29. John Robynson answered William Almon, gentleman, in a plea of non-payment of four pounds and ten shillings relating to the sale of four carloads of wheat, four cartloads of oats and three cart-loads of barley in sheaves on 30 Sept. 1568 at Wisbech. John Robynson is to appear in person at the plea session at Wisbech.

30. Richard Stringer of Ely, fishmonger, answered Edward Gunton in a plea of non-payment of 40 shillings which he borrowed on 10 May 1570 at Sutton. Stringer is fined.

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31. Richard Turner of Castle Rising, Norfolk, husbandman, answered Arthur Weche, cleric, in a plea of trespass on the case relating to the maintenance of the ministry of the parish church at Rising, Feast of the Annunciation [25 March] 1472/3. To proceed to jury trial.

32. Thomas Bulwarde of Emneth, Norfolk, yeoman, answered James Salabanke of Wisbech, yeoman, in a plea of non-payment of 40 pounds relating to a bond of obligation, 24 Sept. 1573 at Wisbech. To proceed to jury trial.

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33. William Hodshyn, alias Hodson, of Wisbech, yeoman, answered Edward Kene in a plea of trespass and ejection that 14 Oct. 1573 he forcibly ejected Kene from a messuage, 30 acres of land, 30 acres of meadow and 50 acres of pasture with appurtenances in Wisbech and Leverington which Lawrence Sutton leased to Edward Kene for a term which had not yet expired. To proceed to jury trial.

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34. Thomas Gallant, alias Gallon, of Weston Colville, gentleman, answered Agnes Marche, widow and executor of the will of Robert Marche in a plea of non-payment of 40 pounds, relating to a bond of obligation of 20 July 1570. Gallant is fined.

35. Thomas Gallant, alias Gallon, answered Agnes Marche, widow and executor of the will of Robert Marche deceased, in a plea of non-payment of 30 pounds relating to the lease of a farm in Witchford called le Wolde with appurtenances. Gallant is fined.

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36. Anthony Collens [place of abode and occupation not stated] answered Agnes Marche, widow, in a plea of trespass that on 1 Dec. 1573 he broke and entered the close and house of Agnes Marche called le Berystede de Stretham and trampled the grass growing there. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

37. Robert Fyncham, gentleman, [place of abode not stated], answered Thomas Graye in a plea of animal theft that on 30 Nov. 1573 he took six deer calves from Corneys Holt at Wisbech. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

38. Robert Payne of Great Munden, Hertfordshire, husbandman, answered Thomas Wattes of Buntingford, Hertfordshire, yeoman, in a plea of non-payment of 40 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 1570 at Witcham. The bond of obligation is recited. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

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39. Robert Payne of Great Munden, Hertfordshire, husbandman, answered Lawrence Myles of Buntingford, Hertfordshire, husbandman, in a plea of non-payment of 50 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 28 May 1569 at Witcham. The bond of obligation is recited. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

40. Lancelot Flower of Ely, gentleman, answered Richard [Cox] Lord Bishop of Ely in a plea that he arrested William Judderell at Haddenham on 3 Feb. 1574 without the licence or wish of the Bishop. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

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41. John Alger of Stretham, labourer, answered Richard Arkenstall, gentleman, in plea that on 16 Jan. 1574 he took and carried away a quantity of birds [pigeons or doves] with a snare. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

42. William Boyle and Richard Perkynson answered Michael Beale, gentleman, in a plea of animal theft that on 12 Nov. 1573 they took 22 pigs from a place called Kyngsdekffe [King’s Delph] at Whittlesey. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

43. Martin Tygo of Leverington, husbandman, answered Thomas Hellowe in a plea of trespass that on 20 Aug. 1573 he broke and entered the close of Hellowe at Leverington and took four cart-loads of hay. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

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44. William Cobbe complained towards William Burbusse of Haddenham, husbandman, in a plea of trespass and ejection that on 14 Dec. 1573 Burbusse forcibly ejected him from a messuage and lands which Cobbe held as part of the manor of Chewells in Haddenham for a term which had not yet expired. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

45. John Drake of Doddington, husbandman, answers Richard Arkenstall, gentleman, in a dispute over five charters [or documents] relating to a messuage with appurtenances in Doddington [called or in Penforde]. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

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46. Andrew Walsingham, gentleman, [place of abode not given], answered Robert Sherde, in a plea of non-payment that on 10 Sept. 1573 at Wisbech Walsingham was receiver of five pounds and seven shillings. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

47. William Hyde and Joan, his wife who was the wife of Thomas Phycas, bring a suit towards Charles Balam of Kirtling, gentleman, relating to the share of three acres and one rod of land with appurtenances in Doddington which Joan attained by reason of her dowry. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

48. Robert Fyncham of Owtwell, gentleman, answered Thomas Grey in a plea of non-payment of 100 shillings relating to the taking of six bull calves at Wisbech St Mary at a place called Corners Holt, date not stated, contrary to statute (1 and 2 Philip and Mary c.12 An act for the impounding of distresses). To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

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49. Thomas Graylynge of Downham, husbandman, answered Richard [Cox] Lord Bishop of Ely in a plea of trespass that on 2 Jan. 1574 he broke and entered the Bishop’s close at Downham and his cattle trampled and overgrazed the grass growing there. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

50. William Bownett of Downham, miller, answered Richard [Cox] Lord Bishop of Ely in a plea of defamation that on 17 Mar. 1574 at Downham he did, in scandalous words, threaten to deprive the Bishop of his bishopric. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

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51. Richard Arkenstall of Wilburton, gentleman, answered Agnes Payne in a plea of animal theft that on 26 July 1573 at Wilburton at a place called the Little Close he took four colts worth six pounds. To proceed to the next plea session at Wisbech.

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52. Warrant of attorney, [list not transcribed].

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53. Memorandum: Thomas Taylor of Starford [?Bishop’s Stortford], Hertfordshire, gentleman, and Elizabeth his wife appear in court and indenture is enrolled. The indenture between Thomas Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor, the sister and heir if Lancelot Yaxley of Ely deceased, and Clement Hyde of Ely, 9 Nov. 1573, is transcribed in full in English.

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