Membrane 1r. The usual preamble [writ of assizes, letters patent and gaol delivery commission] is lacking.

1. Thomas Granger of March, labourer, is bound to answer a plea of trespass from Robert Atkynson. John Shepharde of March, husbandman, acts as surety.

2. William [Gaby] of Wisbech, husbandman, is bound to answer a plea of debt from William Damporte. John Thomasyn of Parson Drove, yeoman, acts as surety.

3. Geoffrey Watson of Lutton, Lincolnshire, tailor, is bound to answer a plea of trespass on the case from Thomas Bryands. William Voytier alias Bulham of Wisbech [occupation not given] acts as surety.

4. Thomas Archer of Wisbech, yeoman, is bound to answer a plea of trespass on the case from Thomas Bulwarde. Robert Fyncham of Outwell, gentleman, and William Egle of Outwell, butcher, act as surety.

5. Richard Lees of Wisbech St Mary, yeoman, is bound to answer a plea of debt from William Golding, esquire. Thomas Wright of Wisbech Guyhirn, fisherman, acts as surety.

6. William Hill of Wisbech, baker, is bound to answer a plea of trespass on the case from Edward Marsham. William Egle of Wisbech [occupation not given] acts as surety.

7. John Kenwarden of Mildenhall, Suffolk, is bound to answer a plea of trespass on the case from Thomas Makeham. John Fyn of Welney, husbandman, acts as surety.

8. Robert Smith of Peterborough, Northamptonshire, is bound to answer a plea of trespass on the case from Richard Welbye. William Voytyer alias Bulham of Wisbech [occupation not given] acts as surety.

Membrane 1v.

9. Edward Rickett of Haddenham, labourer, alias Edward Rickett of Maddingley, labourer, administrator and creditor of John Rickett of Haddenham, deceased, answered a plea of non-payment of 40 pounds from Miles Thompson relating to an indenture between John Rickett and Miles Thompson concerning the lease of a windmill in Ely called the College windmill. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 2r.

10. Richard Randes of Sutton, husbandman, answered a plea of non-payment of 20 pounds from John Randes according to a bond of obligation at Haddenham on 14 Dec. 1581. Richard Randes says the bond of obligation was not made; to proceed to jury trial.

11. John Norfolke of Haddenham, husbandman, answered a plea from John Spackman that on 23 July 1582 he ejected, expelled and moved by force and arms eleven acres, one rod and half a rod of arable land, and two acres of pasture at Haddenham from Richard Cobbe and William Savadge which they held by demise from John Spackman. John Norfolke says he is not guilty of trespass and ejection; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 2v.

12. Hugh Bradshawe of Wisbech, vintner, answered a plea from Francis Manne of King’s Lynn, Norfolk, merchant, of non-payment of 18 pounds according to a bond of obligation signed on 4 Aug. 1575 at Wisbech. To proceed to jury trial.

13. Nicholas Smythe of Methwold, Norfolk, husbandman, answered a plea from Thomas Mariott of non-payment of six pounds and 15 shillings relating to the purchase of marketable malt on 10 April 1581 at Ely. Mariott asks for judgement in his favour.

Membrane 3r.

14. William Hylle of Wisbech, baker, answered a plea of trespass on the case for defamation of character from Edmund Massham. On 1 July 1582 at Wisbech, Massham alleged Hill said, ‘Althoughe I have beaten my wyffe I have no kylled her as thow diddest kyll thy wyffe for she carried the markes blacke to her grave.’ Massham asks for judgement in his favour.

15. William Hares, alias William Hayes, of Tilney, Norfolk, yeoman, answered a plea of non-payment of 30 pounds from Robert Harvey, 1 Jan. 1582. The bond of obligation is read out in court. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 3v.

16. Edmund Wesenahm, alias Edmund Wysnam, of Wisbech, labourer, answered a plea of non-payment of 100 pounds from John Ranowe of Impington, husbandman, 10 March 1570 at Ely. The bond of obligation is read out in court, but not recorded. Wesenham says that George Hasyll paid 47 pounds to Ranowe.

17. William Davie of March, fisherman, answered a plea of non-payment of 46 shillings from William Damporte, on 31 Aug. 1581 at Wisbech relating to the purchase of ale and beer. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 4r.

18. Warrant of attorney [full list not transcribed]. The following names of attorneys appear: William Cobbe; Edward Ball; Thomas Harryson; Henry Goldewell; William Hubberd; William Franklyn; William Smegergill; Thomas Funston.

Membrane 4v.

19. Thomas Carter of West Walton, Norfolk, yeoman, answered a plea of trespass on the case from William Gurlyn, concerning the promise of 20 marks and 21 measures of beans according to an agreement of 21 Feb. 1578. Carter says the plea is insufficient in law; to proceed to jury trial.

20. John Webbe of Thetford, yeoman, answered a plea of non-payment of 50 pounds from John Jackson under the 1554 Distress Act (1 and 2 Phil and Mary c 12) relating to the poundage of three horses at Thetford on 13 Aug. 1581. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 5r.

21. Henry Bowley of Whittlesey, labourer, answered a plea of trespass on the case from John Darbye. Darbye complains that on 20 June 1581 he was dismissed of a holding in Whittlesey by Bowley. To proceed to jury trial.

22. Lancelot Daylye of Ely, carpenter, answered a plea of trespass on the case from John Pechie of Ely, yeoman. Pechie complains that on 6 Nov. 1581 at Ely Daylye took possession of a calf coloured brindle worth 30 shillings. Daylye says he is not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 5v.

23. Anthony Harryson of Mayney [Manea], husbandman, answered a plea from William Adam and Richard Arkynstall esquire that at Doddington on 10 Nov.1578 that Harryson cut down and carried away trees and underwood, named as alders, to the value of ten pounds. Harryson says he is not guilty of trespass; to proceed to jury trial.

24. Thomas Wryght of Chatteris, husbandman, answered a plea of trespass on the case from Francis Newton. Newton complains that Wryght is indebted to him to the sum of three pounds recived on 30 Nov. 1581 at Chatteris, which Wryght had promised to pay by Christmas. Wryght says he is not in debt; to proceed to jury trial.

25. George Overhurst [place and occupation not stated] answered a plea of trespass on the case from Richard Shafto that on 1 Dec. 1581 at Wisbech Shafto paid ten shillings to Overhurst in return for five coombs of oats which have not been delivered. Overhurst says he is not in debt; to proceed jury trial.

Membrane 6r.

26. John Warburton, alias Warbutton, of Wisbech, yeoman, answered a plea of non-payment of 60 pounds from Edward Towbridge according to a bond of obligation at Wisbech made 27 Feb. 1581. The bond of obligation is read out in court. Warburton says he has paid 30 pounds to Towbridge and asks for judgement in his favour.

27. Thomas Miller of Haddenham, husbandman, answered a plea from John Walshe, administrator of Isabel Miller, widow, deceased concerning good and chattels of Isabel Miller to the value of thirty pounds, including pans, brass pots, an abacus, plates, a chest, sheets, a table, a featherbed, a mattress, a bolster, a pillow, blankets, a bedstead and a coverlet after her death at Haddenham, 3 Nov. 1581. Miller says he has not kept back the goods and chattels; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 7v.

28. John Pechie of Thorney, yeoman, answered a plea of trespass on the case from Lancelot Dayly. Dayly complains that on 29 March 1581 at Ely, Pechie took possession of a calf from a marsh called Weltmore and did ‘horn brand’ the calf. Pechie says he is not guilty of trespass; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 8r.

29. Christopher May [place and occupation not stated] answers a plea of trespass on the case from Richard Shafto.

CATALOGUING HALTED ON CONSERVATION ADVICE, 24/06/2019.