Membrane 1r. Preamble: letters patent, writ of assizes, gaol delivery commission etc.

1. Henry Grene of Sutton, labourer, is indicted that on 6 Oct. 1580 he feloniously took and carried away a bowl of milk to the value of three pence from the house of George Bunton at Sutton. Not guilty.

Membrane 1v.

2. Edmund Boyce of Stretham, labourer, is indicted that on 5 Sept. 1580, he feloniously took and carried away a purse with 20 pence and four pounds in numbered money, and on the same day and year a purse with 20 pence and 9 shillings, and on the same day and year a purse with 20 pence and 30 shillings and 10 pence in numbered money. Not guilty.

3. William [Sturns] of Ely, labourer, is indicted that on 5 Aug. 1580 he feloniously took and carried away three cheeses to the value of three pence from the dwelling house of William Staton at Ely. Not guilty.

4. John Langley of Basingham, Lincolnshire, labourer, is indicted that on 1 Aug. 1580 he feloniously took and led away a horse coloured grey worth 26 shillings and eight pence at Wisbech. Not guilty.

5. Helen Drue of Ely, spinster, in indicted that on 20 Aug. 1580 she feloniously took and carried away three coombs of malt worth 15 shillings from the house of William Ellys at Ely. Not guilty.

6. Christopher Brodebancke of Wisbech, labourer, is indicted that on 16 Oct. 1580 he feloniously took and carried away a cloak-bag, in English called a mayle, from the horse of Thomas Edwards at Wisbech containing ten pounds in numbered money. Guilty, allowed benefit of clergy.

Membrane 2r.

7. Francis Philipps of Ely, baker, is indicted that on 14 Feb. 1581 at about the hours of five and six in the afternoon he broke and entered the dwelling house of Thomas Marsh at Ely and feloniously took and carried away a purse [worth seven pence] from a certain Ellen Prentyse. Guilty.

8. William Goodman of Ely, labourer, is indicted that on 6 Mar. 1581 he broke and entered the close and house of Thomas Varnell at Ely and feloniously took and carried away 22 pence in numbered money. Verdict not stated.

9. Thomas Graye of Wisbech, gentleman [keeper of Wisbech Castle], is indicted with allowing the negligent escape of a certain Roger Rycheman of Bassingham, Norfolk, blacksmith, on 20 Aug. 1580, who was suspected of felony at Wisbech.

10. Henry Stookes of Wimblington, labourer, James Whynett of Wilberton, labourer, Lucas Hodson of Haddenham, labourer, Ezekiel [Ezechias] Denwyck, [place of abode not stated] labourer, are freed and acquitted.

Membrane 2v.: blank

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11. Robert Aunger of Ely, yeoman, answered a plea of trespass on the case from William Steward, 27 Oct. 1579, relating to a disagreement over the agreed price for the sale of a quantity of wool. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

12. John Gotobed of Stretham, husbandman, answered a plea of trespass on the case from John Harvye relating to the payment of ten pounds according to a bond of obligation, 20 Nov. 1579 at Stretham, with Robert [Benne], linen draper of London. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 3v.

13. John Webbe of Thetford, yeoman, answered a plea of defamation of character from William Tyler, 20 Nov. 1580. Webbe falsely accused Tyler of being a thief. Joan Tyler, the wife of William, heard John say, ‘Tyler thy husband is a knave, a rascal and a thief for he stole my goodes thefyshely in the night’. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 4r.

14. John Burke of Sutton, husbandman, answered a plea of non-payment of 19 pounds from John Martyn and Cecily, his wife and executor of the will of Thomas Smith, and William Smith, co-executor, 22 June 1561/2, relating to a dispute over the executors of Thomas Smith’s will. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

15. Thomas Clay, senior, of Wisbech, yeoman, answered a plea of non-payment from Robert Parkyn, alias Wolman, for 40 pounds relating to a bond of obligation, 3 Oct. 1575 at Wisbech. The bond of obligation is recited in court, [but not transcribed in the proceedings]. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 4v.

16. Robert Atkinson of March, labourer, and Francis Marchall of March, labourer, answered a plea of trespass from John Sheppard senior. On 1 Oct. 1577, with a certain Roger [?]Bussye of March, fisherman, he broke into the close of John Sheppard, trampled the grass there with their feet and took and carried away [bundles of hemp] growing there to the value of 40 shillings. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

17. William Malden of Haddenham, husbandman, answered a plea of trespass on the case from Roger Philpott that on 13 Mar. 1580 Malden said, in scandalous words, about or to Philpott ‘thowe arte a thief and a horse stealer’. Pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

18. Memorandum: Andrew Reade to appear in person before John Bolwell, chief judge, at the pleas to be held on Thursday 19 July 1581.

Membrane 5r.

19. Robert More of Ely, waterman, answered a plea of non-payment of ten pounds from John Clarke relating to a bond of obligation of 31 Jan. 1576. Robert More questioned the validity of the obligation; to proceed to jury trial.

20. Thomas Mayhewe of Leverington, answered a plea of non-payment of sixty pounds from William Palmer relating to a bond of obligation of 27 May 1578 at Wisbech. The bond of obligation is recited.

21. John Lawrence of Ely, labourer, answered a plea of non-payment of 18 pounds from William Steward, esquire, relating to a bond of obligation, 10 Apr. 1580. Outcome not stated.

Membrane 5v.

22. William Drynge senior of Chatteris, husbandman, answered a plea of trespass on the case from Robert Ingram for defamation of character that on 2 Aug. 1580 Drynge said publicly about Ingram that ‘he ys a false knave he dothe foresware me thyrtie and two shillynges’. Outcome not stated.

23. Robert More of Ely, waterman, answered a plea of non-payment of ten pounds from John Clarke relating to a bond of obligation of 31 Jan. 1576. Robert More questioned the validity of the obligation; the entry is incomplete [see number 19 above].