Membrane 1r. Preamble: letters patent, writs of assize and gaol delivery commission.

1. Francis Craforde of Hull, Yorkshire, gentleman, is indicted that on 12 Apr. 1574 he feloniously took and carried away a silk purse worth five shillings with three pounds, five shillings and four pence from the person of Thomas Bulwarde. Guilty; to be hanged.

2. Mary Taylor of Littleport, spinster, is indicted that on 13 June 1575 she assaulted John Peane at Littleport causing him to die. Not guilty. [Much of the text in the first part of this entry is faded.]

Membrane 1v.

3. William Mychell of Sutton, husbandman, is indicted that on 8 Apr. 1574 he assaulted William Salmon, his servant, and inflicted two mortal wounds with an acre-staff, one to the back and one to the right tibia. Salmon languished for twelve days and then died. Not guilty.

4. Joan Riphenham of Ely, spinster, is indicted that on 20 May 1574 at Ely she feloniously took and carried away three pecks of malt to the value of eleven pence from Thomas Marche, gentleman. Not guilty.

5. John Wood of Earith, Huntingdonshire, is indicted that on 20 Mar. 1574 he feloniously took and carried away a boat to the value of ten shillings from Agnes Macrowe, widow, at Doddington. Not guilty.

6. John Lambert of Witcham, tailor, is indicted that on 11 May 1574 he feloniously took and carried away twelve shillings in numbered money from Francis Wheatly at Coveney. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

Membrane 2r.

7. Joan Dowlinge of Ely, spinster, is indicted that on 4 Aug. 1573 she used, exercised and practiced enchantments and magical arts on Richard Perker to vex, disturb and make him ill, contrary to statute. Dowlinge pled not guilty; verdict not stated.

8. David Carter senior of Wisbech, husbandman, and Ralph Gray of Whittlesey, yeoman, are indicted that on 30 Sept. 1573 they feloniously took and carried away three swans worth 20 shillings from Richard [Cox] Lord Bishop of Ely. Not guilty.

9. John Christian of Coveney, cleric, is indicted that on 11 July 1572 around the tenth hour of the day he broke and entered the close of Thomas Barrett at Witcham called ‘a fowlde’ and feloniously took a black ewe worth two shillings and eight pence from William Gill of Coveney. Not guilty.

Membrane 2v.

10. John Cooke of Wisbech, labourer, being over 14 years is indicted as a vagrant with no land, no master and no legitimate trade on 1 Aug. 1574 contrary to statute [Vagrancy Act 1572, 14 Eliz. I. c.5]. Verdict not stated.

11. Catherine Pett of March, spinster, Robert Pett of March, [weaver], Thomas Smythe of Mepal, husbandman, Emma Smythe of Mepal, spinster, Thomas Langman of Haddenham, labourer, Matthew Heley of Littleport, cleric, Robert Knebitt of Littleport, husbandman, and John Purney of Haddenham, weaver, are freed and acquitted.

12. Oliver Keate of Haddenham, carpenter, and Robert Pale of Haddenham, carpenter, are bound to attend the next plea session at Ely to give evidence against John Banke.

13. Richard Purney of Haddenham, weaver, is bound to attend the next plea session at Ely to give evidence against John Banke.

14. Robert Hedwyn of Huntingdon, labourer, is bailed. Thomas Slade, esquire, of Huntingdon and Thomas Edwardes of Huntingdon, merchant, act as surety.

15. Edmund Wapell of Huntingdon, labourer, is bailed. Thomas Slade, esquire, of Huntingdon and Thomas Edwardes of Huntingdon, merchant, act as surety.

16. Thomas Springe of Sutton, butcher, is bound to answer John Dixon in a plea of debt. Richard Randes of Sutton, yeoman, acts as surety.

Membrane 3r.

17. William Utley of Ely, cleric, answered William Aunger in a plea of trespass on the case that on 10 Apr. 1574 at Ely he, in scandalous words, accused Aunger of being a thief and stealing a cock. To proceed to the next plea session at Ely.

18. Henry Cooke of Witchford, husbandman, alias Henry Coke, answered Richard Chirche, cleric, in a plea of non-payment of 40 shillings relating to a bond of obligation of 19 Oct. 1572 at Ely. Cooke is fined.

19. John Blythe complains that Thomas Crannocke on 2 Apr. 1574 he burned [set fire to] the mansion house of Blythe in Elm in a field called Old Field. Crannocke is fined.

Membrane 3v.

20. John Durbacke of Sutton, husbandman, is bound to answer Richard Clerkson in a plea of debt. John Thetford of Wisbech, husbandman, acts as surety.

21. William Pulvertoft of Wisbech, gentleman, is bound to answer Elizabeth Balam in a plea of debt. John Capley of Wisbech, gentleman, acts as surety.

22. William Wagge answered Thomas Clerke in a plea of trespass that on 28 May 1573 broke and entered the close and house of Clerke at Elm and drove off with dogs certain bulls or steers worth 20 shillings. To proceed to the next plea session at Ely.

23. John Durbagge answered Richard Clerkson in a plea of non-payment of four pounds and ten shillings relating to the sale of ‘ten fat wethers’ [rams] at Wisbech on 3 Feb. 1573. To proceed to the next plea session at Ely.

Membrane 4r.

24. Thomas Gybbes complained towards John Laxton that on 1 Sept. 1574 Laxton forcibly broke and entered the house and close of Gybbes, namely a cottage and three acres of land at Cotes in the parish of Whittlesey, and over pastured and damaged the crops growing their with his livestock. Opts for jury trial; to proceed to the next plea session at Ely.

25. Edward Storye of Wisbech, senior, draper, and Emma, his wife, answered Richard Skarborowe and Margaret, his wife, in a plea of trespass on the case that on 12 Sept. 1573 at Wisbech they slandered Margaret Skarborowe by accusing her of stealing 20 shillings of ‘craynes golde’. Opt for jury trial; to proceed to the next plea session at Ely.

Membrane 4v.

26. John Osteler brought information for the Crown that Thomas Curtesse of Wisbech, butcher, bought four cows and two heifers which he then sold on 16 Feb. 1574 contrary to statute [3 and 4 Edw. VI c.19 An act for the buying and selling of rother beasts and cattle], 5 Feb. 1574 at Wisbech. Curtesse is not able to deny the charges.

27. John Osteler brought information for the Crown that Robert Lyne of Wisbech, yeoman, bought or acquired a wholesale quantity of wheat contrary to statute [5 and 6 Edw. VI c.14 An act against regrators, forestallers and ingrossers], 15 Jan. 1574 at Wisbech. Lyne is not able to deny the charges.

Membrane 5r.

28. John Osteler brought information for the Crown that Richard Butcher of Leverington, yeoman, bought two bullocks or steers at Wisbech which he then sold contrary to statute [3 and 4 Edw. VI c.19 An act for the buying and selling of rother beasts and cattle], 2 Apr. 1574. Opts for jury trial; to proceed to the next plea session at Ely.

29. William Marche, gentleman, answered George Thorowgood in a plea of animal theft that on 13 July 1573 at Witcham at a place called Wornehowe Close he took 13 calves. There is a lengthy discussion over the ownership of the close. Marche is acquitted; Thorowgood is fined for bringing a false claim.

Membrane 5v.

30. William Boyce and Richard Perkynson answered Michael Beale, gentleman, in a plea of animal theft that on 12 Dec. 1572 at Whittlesey in a place called King’s Delph they took 22 pigs. Opts for jury trial; to proceed to the next plea session at Ely.

Membrane 6r.

31. Edward Storye senior of Wisbech, draper, and Emma, his wife, answered Richard Scarborowe in a plea of trespass on the case that on 12 Sept. 1573 they slandered him by accusing him of robbing the poor of 20 pounds. Edward and Emma Storye are fined.

32. William Hodshyn, alias Hodson, of Wisbech, yeoman, answered Edward Kene in a plea of trespass and ejection that on 14 Oct. 1573 he forcibly ejected Kene from a messuage, 30 acres of land, 20 acres of meadow and 50 acres of pasture with appurtenances in Wisbech and Leverington which Lawrence Sutton had leased to Kene for a term which had not yet expired. Opts for jury trial; to proceed to the next plea session at Ely.

Membrane 6v.

33. 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 Ely. Membrane 7r.

34. Thomas Clarke answered William Wagge in a plea of trespass that on 30 Apr. 1574 he forcibly entered Wagge’s close at Elm and allowed his livestock to trample and overgraze the grass growing there. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

35. William Bownett of Downham, husbandman, answered Richard, Lord Bishop of Ely, in a plea that on 6 June 1574 he publicly proclaimed false statements about the Bishop of Ely, the Duke of Norfolk and the Queen contrary to statute [2 Ric. II c.5 The penalty for telling slanderous lyes of the great men of the realm]. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

36. Thomas Phipers of Haddenham, husbandman, answered Henry Dawkyn in a plea of trespass that on 18 Nov. 1573 at Aldreth he took and led away 30 pigs, called swine hogs. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

Membrane 7v.

37. Thomas Springe of Sutton, butcher, answered John Dixon of Steeple Gidding, Huntingdonshire, gentleman, in a plea of non-payment of 14 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 12 Feb. 1570 at Ely. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

38. William Akars, alias Akers, of Leverington, yeoman, answered Simon Fyncham of Outwell, gentleman, in a plea of non-payment of six pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 6 Apr. 1574 at Leverington. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

39. Thomas Bradley of Halifax, Yorkshire, yeoman, answered James Rotheram, gentleman, in a plea of non-payment relating to the lease of a tenement and four acres of land in Ely, 1 Feb. 1568. Outcome not stated.

Membrane 8r.

40. Henry Elmeth of March, beer brewer, answered Richard, Lord Bishop of Ely, in a plea of non-payment of 40 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 13 Jan. 1571 at March. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

41. William Gill of Witcham, husbandman, alias William Gill of Coveney, answered John Cristian, cleric, in a plea of non-payment of 30 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 15 Nov. 1571 at Ely. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

42. William Pulvertoft, gentleman, and son and heir of Gilbert Pulvertoft, gentleman, deceased, answered Elizabeth Balam, widow and administrator of the goods and chattels of Robert Bala deceased, in a plea of non-payment of 100 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 15 July [1556 or 1557, 3 and 4 Philip and Mary]. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

Membrane 8v.

43. William Gill of Coveney, husbandman, answered John Cristian, cleric, in a plea of non-payment of 30 pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 15 Nov. 1571 at Ely. Gill is fined.

44. Thomas Brodley of Halifax, Yorkshire, yeoman, answered James Rotheram, gentleman, in a plea of trespass that on 20 June 1572 he forcibly entered the close of Rotheram at Ely and took and carried away 40 cartloads of stone. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

45. Edmund Harrys of Gedney, Lincolnshire, answered Richard Richardson in a plea of trespass on the case relating to the sale of a quantity of rape seed and hemp seed on 24 Sept. 1573 at Wisbech. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

Membrane 9r.

46. Thomas Collyn of Littleport, tailor, answered Thomas Bright in a plea of non-payment of four pounds relating to the sale of four pieces of woollen cloth on 5 Sept. 1571 at Ely. Requests leave to imparl to the next session.

47. Henry Dawkyn of Haddenham, husbandman, alias Henry Dawkyn of Aldreth in the parish of Haddenham, husbandman, answered Thomas Phipers of Haddenham, husbandman, in a plea of non-payment of five pounds relating to a bond of obligation of 16 May 1573 at Ely. Dawkyn said the plea was insufficient in law; Phipers is fined.

Membrane 9v.

48. Warrant of attorney, [list of names not transcribed].