Membrane 1r.

1. William Bownett of Downham, miller, is bound to answer Lawrence Johnson in a plea of trespass on the case. Henry Aspland of Downham, husbandman, acts as surety.

2. Hugh Thompson of Littleport, labourer, is bound to answer Lancelot Flower, gentleman, in a plea of trespass on the case. Christopher Russell of Ely, chandler, acts as surety.

3. Jasper Umpton of Haddenham, gentleman, is bound to answer Robert Reynolde in a plea [not stated]. John Osteler of Haddenham, yeoman, acts as surety.

4. William Gill junior of Witcham, husbandman, is bound to answer John Christian, cleric, in a plea of debt. Thomas Barrett of Witcham, husbandman, and William Kyng of Coveney, yeoman, act as surety.

5. Richard Randes of Sutton, husbandman, is bound to answer Richard Upcher of Sutton in a plea of trespass on the case. Sampson Atherton of Wentworth, husbandman, and Robert Thropton of Sutton, husbandman, act as surety.

6. William Wright of Thetford, husbandman, is bound to answer Richard Chapman of Landwade, gentleman, in a plea of debt. John Beamyshe of Thetford, husbandman, and John Jackson of Thetford, husbandman, act as surety.

Membrane 1v.

7. Thomas Wyseman of Whittlesey, yeoman, is bound to answer William Stackhowse in a plea of debt. John Kelfull of Whittlesey, husbandman, acts as surety.

8. John Kelfull of Whittlesey, husbandman, is bound to answer William Stackhowse in a plea of debt. Thomas Wyseman of Whittlesey, yeoman, acts as surety.

9. Henry Grene of Sutton, yeoman, is bound to answer Thomas Anderson in a plea of trespass on the case. William [Minall] of Sutton, yeoman, acts as surety.

10. John Thickpenny of Ely, husbandman, is bound to answer John Brodebent in a plea of trespass on the case. William Day of Ely, husbandman, acts as surety.

11. Hugh Thompson of Littleport, labourer, is bound to answer Thomas Wade in a plea of trespass. John Aborowe of Littleport, [occupation not stated], acts as surety.

12. Alexander Stringer of Mepal, yeoman, is bound to answer John Marten and Cecily his wife in a plea of trespass on the case. Lawrence Charles of Mepal, gentleman, acts as surety.

Membrane 2r.

13. Christopher Russell of Ely, chandler, is bound to answer Thomas Wade in a plea of trespass. Lawrence Charles of Mepal, gentleman, acts as surety.

14. John Dickenson of Cambridge, labourer, is bound to answer Thomas Wade in a plea of trespass. William Dove of Littleport, yeoman, acts as surety.

15. John Harrys of Littleport, yeoman, John Gootes of Littleport, husbandman, Thomas Wade of Littleport, husbandman, and William Brande of Littleport, husbandman, answered John Grange of Swaffham Bulbeck, gentleman, in a plea of trespass and ejection that on 28 Oct. 1574 they forcibly ejected Grange from seven messuages, six acres of meadow called the belcrofte and one acre of pasture called the pond yard with appurtenances in Littleport which Christopher Russell of Cambridge, chandler, had leased to Grange for a term which had not yet expired. To proceed to the next session at Wisbech.

16. John Osteler brought information for the Crown that James Salowbanck of Wisbech, yeoman, bought two bulls on 23 Apr. 1574 at Wisbech and on 30 Apr. 1574 sold the bulls contrary to statute [3 and 4 Edw. VI c.19 An act for the buying and selling of rother beasts and cattle]. Salowbanck said the plea was insufficient in law; to proceed to the next session at Wisbech.

Membrane 2v.

17. John Osteler brought information for the Crown that James Salowbanck of Wisbech, yeoman, bought a cow known as a dry milk cow on 23 Apr. 1574 at Wisbech which he sold on 28 Apr. 1574 contrary to statute [3 and 4 Edw. VI c.19 An act for the buying and selling of rother beasts and cattle]. Salowbanck said the plea was insufficient in law; to proceed to the next session at Wisbech.

18. William Bownett of Downham, miller, answered Lawrence Johnson of Downham in a plea of trespass on the case that on 10 June 1574 he slandered Johnson by accusing him of stealing sheep from [Chattesham Bushes], that he conveyed them away in the night and ate them at his house.

Membrane 3r.

19. Henry Grene of Sutton, yeoman, answered Thomas Anderson in a plea of trespass on the case relating to the sale of a messuage and windmill in Sutton on 10 Mar. 1574. To proceed to the next session at Wisbech.

Membrane 3v.

20. Hugh Tompson of Littleport, labourer, and Stephen Payne of Littleport, labourer, answered Lancelot Flower of Ely, gentleman, broke and entered the close of Flower at Ely called the churcholmes, and took and carried away his fence to the value of 40 shillings. To proceed to jury trial at the next session.

21. Richard [Cox], Lord Bishop of Ely, brings a suit towards Charles Balam of Kirtling, gentleman, relating to a dispute over the manor of Coldham with appurtenances in Elm held by Balam by service. Balam said the suit was insufficient in law; to proceed to the next session.

Membrane 4r.

22. Roger Willet of Haddenham, yeoman, answered Andrew Reade in a plea of trespass on the case that on 31 May 1573 at Haddenham he slandered Reade by accusing him of being a perjured person who was indicted in the King’s Bench for horse stealing. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

23. John Thetford of Wisbech, glover, answered Thomas Legge in a plea of trespass that on 4 Nov. 1574 he broke and entered the close, orchard and garden at Wisbech where his pigs dug up and spoiled the grasses growing there. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

24. Thomas Shawe of Littleport, husbandman, and John Mobbes of Littleport, labouer, answered Thomas Fuller of Littleport that on 15 Sept. 1574 ay Littleport they assaulted and violently maltreated William Fuller, the servant of Thomas Fuller. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 4v.

25. John Osteler brought information for the Crown concerning Thomas Edwardes of Wisbech, fishmonger, and relating to his occupation as a linen draper on 20 Jan. 1574 at Wisbech contrary to statute [5 Eliz. I c.4 An act for containing divers orders for artificers, labourers, servants of husbandry and apprentices]. Edwardes said the suit was insufficient in law; to proceed to the next session.

26. Thomas Wyseman of Whittlesey, husbandman, answered William Stackuse in a plea of trespass on the case [?relating to a supplication or petition to the Crown and the costs and expenses of prosecution], 20 Nov. 1570 at Wisbech. To proceed to the next session.

Membrane 5r.

27. John Kelfull of Whittlesey, husbandman, answered William Stackuse in a plea of trespass on the case [?relating to a supplication or petition to the Crown and the costs and expenses of prosecution], 20 Nov. 1570 at Wisbech. To proceed to the next session. [See 26 above].

28. Dionisia [Denise] Dale of Haddenham, widow, answered Thomas Phipers in a plea of non-payment of 71 shillings relating to a bill of 4 June 1574 at Haddenham. To proceed to the next session.

Membrane 5v.

29. Alexander Stringer of Mepal, yeoman, answered John Marten and Cecily his wife in a plea that on 5 Jan. 1574 at Ely he married Susan Smyth, aged about 16 years, against the wish of John and Cecily, and took Susan’s tenements and lands in Sutton to the value of 4 pounds per annum and good and chattels to the value of 50 pounds. Outcome not stated.

30. John Thyckpenny of Ely, husbandman, answered John Brodebent in a plea of trespass on the case relating to the promise of two thousand sedge on 1 Dec. 1574 at Wisbech. Outcome not stated. [The text in this entry is faded].