Ely, 20 Eliz [1578]: Pleas and gaol delivery before North.

Membrane 1r. Preamble: writs of assize and gaol delivery commission, both incomplete with dates left blank. There is no letters patent.

1. Cecilia Samuel of Wisbech, spinster, being pregnant and having given birth to a male child, is indicted that on 24 Jan. 1578 she assaulted the child, took him to a place called Castle Dike in Wisbech and feloniously threw the child in killing him. Guilty; to be hanged.

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2. Robert Vernam of Thetford, labourer, is indicted that on 16 Oct. 1577 he feloniously took and carried away five pence in numbered money from a purse of William Russell. Not guilty.

3. Roger Browne of Aldreth in the parish of Haddenham, husbandman, is indicted that 27 Oct. 1577 he feloniously took and carried away two [?ducks] worth 12 pence from John Osteler. Not guilty.

4. Philip Ireland of Ely, labourer, and Thomas Johnson of Ely, labourer, are indicted that on 11 Feb. 1578 they broke and entered the close of Andrew Malden at Ely, and feloniously took and carried away eight hens worth two shillings and eight pence, one hen worth four pence and one duck worth two pence. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

5. Lucius Hodson of Haddenham, labourer, is indicted that on 14 Jan. 1578 he broke and entered the barn of Ralph Bostock at Haddenham, and feloniously took and carried away a quarter of barley and chaff to the value of eight shillings. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

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6. James Stones of Wisbech, labourer, James Gardyner of Wisbech and Felicia the wife of James Gardyner, spinster, are indicted as vagrants with no land, no master and no legitimate trade on 7 Sept. 1577 contrary to statute [Vagrancy Act 1572, 14 Eliz. I. c.5]. The entry is incomplete; no outcome is stated.

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7. Henry Seman of Stone, yeoman, answered Robert More of Ely, yeoman, in a plea that on 20 Oct. 1577 at Ely he took a keel with tackling, anchor, sail and mast to the value of 100 pounds. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

8. John Jetherell of Sutton, skep maker [basket maker] and Miles Tompson of Ely, yeoman, answered John Buck in a plea of trespass that on 20 Jan. 1578 they broke and entered the close of Jetherell of Sutton, and allowed their livestock to trample and overgraze the grass growing there. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

9. William Jetherell of Witcham, yeoman, answered Charles Balam of Walsoken, Norfolk, gentleman, in a plea of trespass and ejection that on 24 Jan. 1578 he forcibly ejected Balam from a messuage and 50 acres of land with appurtenances in Witcham which Robert Jetherell had leased to Balam for a term which had not yet expired. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

10. Thomas Fallers of Littleport, labourer, and Dorothy, his wife, answered William Dove of Littleport, yeoman, and Alice, his wife, in a plea of trespass on the case that on 26 June 1577 Dorothy did, in scandalous words, accuse Alice of being an arrant thief who stole money from her husband’s coffers. In turn Thomas and Dorothy accuse Alice of using scandalous words about Dorothy. To proceed to jury trial.

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11. John Crystian of Ely, cleric, answered John Flowers, gentleman, in a plea of trespass on the case relating to the sale of a broken winded horse on 10 Jan. 1576 at Ely. To proceed to jury trial.

12. John Crystian of Coveney, cleric, answered Richard Arkynstall of Wilburton, gentleman, in a plea of non-payment of 40 shillings relating to a bill of 18 June 1577 at Wilburton. Outcome not stated.

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13. Thomas Marche, gentleman, brings a suit against William Adam, gentleman, concerning a messuage and garden with appurtenances in Ely. This is a common recovery. Full seisin to Thomas Marche.

14. John Marten brings a suit against Lancelot Flowers, gentleman, concerning a messuage in Ely. This is a common recovery. Full seisin to John Marten.

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Ely, 19 Eliz. [1577]: Pleas and gaol delivery before North. Preamble: letters patent, writ of assizes and gaol delivery commission, all incomplete with dates left blank.

15. Robert Hewes of Wisbech, labourer, is indicted that on 10 June 1577 he feloniously took and carried away a brass pot to the value of thee shillings and four pence from William Baxter at Wisbech, on the same day he feloniously took and carried away a shirt to the value of two shillings and six pence, and ten [keys or nails] to the value of six shillings and eight pence from William Bartlett at Wisbech and on the same day he feloniously took and carried away 39 shillings and 11 pence in numbered money from William Bartlett. Guilty of first indictment; not guilty of other indictments. Allowed benefit of clergy.

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16. William Raborn of Thetford, tailor, is indicted that on 27 July 1577 he feloniously took and carried away a purse from John Buck to the value of one pence and 11 shillings lying on a table. Not guilty.

17. Margaret Cott of Ely, spinster, is indicted that on 9 Oct. 1576 she feloniously killed and murdered Martha Johnson, the daughter of John Johnson of Haddenham, blacksmith, with magical arts, in English called witchcraft, enchantments, charms and sorceries, contrary to statute. Not guilty.

18. Joan Tovie of Haddenham, widow and spinster, is indicted that on 1 Feb. 1577 she feloniously killed and murdered Martin Evered, son of Richard Evered of Witchford, husbandman, with magical arts, in English called witchcraft, enchantments, charms and sorceries, contrary to statute. Not guilty.

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19. Robert Archer of Ely, labourer, is indicted as a vagrant with no land, no master and no legitimate trade on 17 Sept. 1577 contrary to statute [Vagrancy Act 1572, 14 Eliz. I. c.5]. The entry is incomplete; no outcome is stated.

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20. William Husk, alias Hurst, of Cambridge, butcher, answered Thomas Thomasyn and Elizabeth, his wife and executor of the will of William Bocher of Wisbech St Mary deceased, in a plea of non-payment of ten pounds relating the sale of 20 sheep and three fat bulls. To proceed to jury trial.

21. Geoffrey Slater, [place of abode and occupation not stated], answered Francis Archer in a plea of trespass on the case relating to a dispute over the sum of 200 pounds involving William Dawson, gentleman, 27 Jan. 1576. To proceed to jury trial.

22. Martin Harborowe, [place of abode and occupation not stated], answered Robert Parker in a plea of non-payment of chattels, namely a brass pot, to the value of 40 shillings, 30 Sept. 1577 at Aldreth. To proceed to jury trial.

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23. John Osteler of Haddenham, yeoman, answered Ralph Bostock in a plea of non-payment of 40 pounds, relating to the sale of ten cartloads of hay and two cartloads of [?], 1 Feb. 1576 at Haddenham. To proceed to jury trial.

24. Thomas Grey of Wisbech, gentleman, answered George Hasyll, gentleman, in a plea of trespass on the case relating to a messuage, a close and pasture with appurtenances lying in March, 15 Apr. 1576 at Wisbech. Grey states the plea is not sufficient in law; to proceed to jury trial.

25. Thomas Smyth of Ely, butcher, and Robert Dolson of Ely, weaver, answered Richard Hall in a plea of trespass and ejection that on 3 Mar. 1575 they forcibly ejected Hall from a tenement with appurtenances in Ely which Lancelot Flowers of Ely, gentleman, had leased to Hall for a term which had not yet expired. To proceed to jury trial.

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26. Robert Fyncham of Outwell, gentleman, answered Thomas Welles of Emneth, Norfolk, gentleman, in a plea of trespass on the case relating to a debt of 19 pounds, five shillings and six pence, 20 Sept. 1575 at Outwell. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

27. Stephen Leadebeat, [place of abode and occupation not stated], answered Thomas Bulwarde in a plea of trespass on the case relating to a bond of obligation of 15 Oct. 1576 at Wisbech and the promise of 40 coombes of oats. To proceed to jury trial.

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