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

1. Thomas Moone of Wisbech, butcher, is indicted that on 25 June 1586 at Wisbech he feloniously took and led away a bay horse worth three pounds from Richard Kyrman. Not guilty.

Membrane 1v.

2. John Hamond of Ely, baker, is indicted that on 15 June 1585 at Haddenham he feloniously took and carried away a coulter [a plough share] from Henry Peverell, and on the same day and year at Aldreth in the parish of Haddenham he feloniously took and carried away a book of common prayer worth fifteen shillings, another book worth ten shillings, a psalter worth twelve pence, a psalm book worth twelve pence and a common table cloth worth twenty shillings from Edward Lister and Robert Franklyn, custodians and wardens of the parish church of Cunnyngton [?Conington]. Not guilty.

3. William Nicholas of Outwell, yeoman, and Henry Rayner of Outwell, carpenter, are indicted that on 1 May 1586 at Outwell they feloniously took and led away a grey horse worth four pounds from John Chambers, alias Awston. Not guilty.

4. Thomas [?Oyins] of Littleport, thacker [thatcher], and William Lubson of Littleport, basketmaker, are indicted that on 13 May 1586 at Littleport between the hours of ten and twelve at night they burgled, broke and entered the mansion house of John Harrys putting him in fear of his life and feloniously took and carried away twenty pounds in numbered money in a chest. Not guilty.

Membrane 2r.

5. Robert Coirtyer of Wisbech, labourer, is indicted that on 10 May 1586 at Wisbech he feloniously took and carried away thirteen yards of linen cloth to the value of ten shillings from Richard Carryer. On 13 June 1586 he escaped from the custody of Thomas Graye at Wisbech gaol and on 10 July 1586 at Wisbech he feloniously took and carried away a yard of linen cloth worth eight pence, a short to the value of six pence and a wallet to the value of two pence from Richard Carter. Guilty; no goods or property to forfeit.

6. Andrew Barker of Wentworth, labourer, is indicted that on 27 Aug. 1586 at Wentworth he feloniously took and carried away a purse to the value of one obit and nineteen shillings in numbered money from William Barker. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

7. Thomas Haggys of Wisbech, labourer, is indicted that on 8 Aug. 1586 at Wisbech he feloniously took and carried away seven shillings and eight pence in numbered money from George Parkyn. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

Membrane 2v.

8. John Metcalf of Leverington, labourer, is indicted that on 29 May 1586 he feloniously took and carried away a brass pot to the value of sixteen shillings from John Loveden at Leverington. Guilty; allowed benefit of clergy.

9. Ellen Flytton of Wisbech, spinster, is indicted that on 16 May 1586 at Wisbech she feloniously took and carried away four shillings and six pence in numbered money from Thomas Leaves and that on 13 June 1586 she escaped from Wisbech gaol. Guilty; no goods or property to forfeit.

10. Robert Towle of Wisbech, labourer, is indicted that on 20 May 1586 at Wisbech he feloniously took and led away a [gelding] worth thirty shillings from Thomas Backhowse, and on 27 May 1586 he feloniously took and led away a grey horse worth thirty shillings from Robert Apleby and on the same day a dappled grey [gelding] worth forty shillings from Nicholas Browne. On 13 June 1586 he escaped from the custody of Thomas Graye at Wisbech gaol. Assumed to be at large as no verdict is stated.

Membrane 3r.

11. Cuthbert Robynson of Sutton, miller, Francis Gardner of Haddenham, shepherd, Thomas Marshe of Whittlesey, labourer, John Clarke of Littleport, labourer, Walter Osteler of Ely, tailor, Richard Eastmond of Wisbech, labourer, Nicholas Rowselye of Ely, labourer, Thomas Christerson of Cambridge, waterman, John Allen of [?Claxton], cleric, Leonard Abbott of Wisbech, butcher, Robert Marssham of Wisbech, baker, John Reade of Wisbech, labourer, Godfrey Baldwyn of Ely, labourer, Nicholas Bucke of Ely, labourer, and Joan Cotte of Sutton, spinster, are freed and acquitted.

12. Thomas Rudston of Haddenham, shoemaker, is indicted that on 2 July 1586 at Haddenham feloniously took and carried away three pounds of wool to the value of thirty shillings and four pence, a pair of garters to the value of two pence and a piece of linen cloth to the value of six pence from Edward Barnard, and on 15 June 1586 he feloniously took and carried away a coulter [a plough share] from Henry Peverell, and on the same day and year at Haddenham he feloniously took and carried away a book of common prayer worth fifteen shillings, another book worth ten shillings, a psalter worth twelve pence, a psalm book worth twelve pence and a common table cloth worth twenty shillings from Edward Lister and Robert Franklyn, custodians and wardens of the parish church of Cunnyngton [?Conington]. Verdict not stated.

Membrane 3v., 4r. and 4v.: blank

Membrane 5r.

13. Hugh Bradshawe of Whittlesey, inn holder, answers Henry Adams in a plea of non-payment of seven pounds relating to receivership, 1 Apr. 1575. To proceed to jury trial.

14. Stephen Legal of Whittlesey, husbandman, answers Henry Adam, gentleman, in a plea that on 7 Jun. 1585 with Nicholas Dawson of Whittlesey he forcibly broke and entered the close of Adam at Doddington. To proceed to jury trial.

15. Roger Owtlawe of Wilburton, husbandman, answers George Alcock in a plea of trespass that on 17 July 1586 forcibly entered the close of Alcock at Wilburton, consisting of two acres of marsh lying in an area called Le dooles, and took five cartloads of fodder to the value of forty shillings. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 5v.

16. Robert Martyn of Wisbech, butcher, answers Wiliam [?Lampoe] in a plea of non-payment of forty shillings relating to the sale of 30 kilderkins of beer on 1 Aug. 1585 at Wisbech. To proceed to jury trial.

17. John Cole of Wisbech, yeoman, answers [Edoyne] Furnes in a plea of trespass on the case relating to a sum of money owed by Robert Orrell, gentleman, deceased. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 6r.

18. Richard Michell of Ely, drover, answers Edward Barnard in a plea of non-payment of eight pounds relating to the sale of four bulls on 31 Jan. 1584 at Ely. To proceed to jury trial.

19. Lancelot Flower of Ely, gentleman, answers William Steward of Ely in a plea of non-payment of seven pounds relating to a bond of obligation, 10 July 1581 at Ely. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 6v.

20. John Osteler brought information for the Crown that John Thomasine of Parson’s Drove, yeoman, did buy, bargain and conclude to buy two year-old steers contrary to statute [3 and 4 Edw. VI c.19 An act for the buying and selling of rother beasts and cattle], 8 Dec. 1585 at Leverington. To proceed to jury trial.

21. Hugh Bradshawe of Wisbech, inn holder, answers William Votyer, alias Guyllam, in a plea of trespass on the case relating to a debt of 37 shillings and six pence, 1 July 1582 at Wisbech. Bradshawe pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 7r.

22. Henry Marshe of Ely, [occupation not given], answers William Sherford in a plea of trespass that on 13 Feb. 1586 he did forcibly break and enter the close and house of Sherford at Ely. To proceed to jury trial.

23. Henry Marshe of Ely, [occupation not given], answers William Sherford in a plea of trespass on the case relating to the promise of house to inhabit in Ely, lying between the tenements of John Garret and William Patch, 25 Mar. 1586. Marshe pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 7v.

24. Edward Barnarde of Haddenham, labourer, answers Thomas Raven in a plea of trespass that on 20 July 1585 he broke and entered Raven’s close and his livestock trampled and despastured the crops and grass growing there. Barnarde pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

25. Edward Barnarde of Aldreth, labourer, answers Thomas Raven in a plea of trespass that on 29 July 1585 he broke and entered Raven’s close and took and led away two wethers [rams] worth thirty shillings and four pence. Barnarde pled not guilty; to proceed to jury trial.

26. Thomas Darnell of Ely, draper, answers Daniel Bradshawe in a plea of non-payment of three pounds which he borrowed on 14 Feb. 1586 at Ely. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 8r.

27. William Savage, senior, and William Savage, junior, [place of abode and occupation not given], answer William Bell, gentleman, in a plea of trespass that on 26 Aug. 1586 they broke and entered Bell’s close at Haddenham in a place called Brodewater Furlong in a field called Downehill Field and took two cartloads of barley. There is discussion of the ownership and location of the close. To proceed to jury trial.

28. Jerome Salmon of Ely, yeoman, answers Charles Upcher in a plea of trespass that on 10 Aug. 1586 he broke and entered Salmon’s close, comprising four acres of land in Sutton lying a field called Brangell, and took eight cartloads of barley to the value of forty shillings. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 8v.

29. Thomas Dalton of Ely, yeoman, answers Robert Greene in a plea of non-payment of thirty pounds relating to an agreement, 17 Mar. 1585 at Ely, to sell a messuage with appurtenances in Ely called ‘le Bridgehowse’. The terms of payment are disputed; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 9r.

30. Nicholas Pigg of Wisbech St Mary, husbandman, and William Dams of the same place, labourer, answer Thomas Heward in a plea of trespass and ejection that on 17 Nov. 1585 they forcibly ejected and removed Heward from one messuage, three rods of meadow and three acres of pasture with appurtenances in Wisbech St Mary which John Pigg had leased to Heward for a term which had not yet expired. Pigg and Dams not guilty; Heward fined for pursuing a false claim.

31. Francis Newton of Chatteris, husbandman, answers Richard Carryer in a plea of non-payment of thirty-two pounds relating to a bond of obligation, 20 Oct. 1585 at Ely. The bond of obligation is recited. Newton says he has paid the sum; to proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 9v.

32. John Reade ‘at the porch’, Chatteris, husbandman, answers Richard Carryer in a plea of non-payment of thrity-two pounds relating to a bond of obligation, 20 Oct. 1585 at Ely. The bond of obligation is recited. Reade says that Francis Newton [see 31 above] has paid the sum; to proceed to jury trial.

33. Andrew Foster of Sutton, yeoman, answers Charles Upchere in a plea of trespass that on 20 Aug. 1585 he broke and entered the close of Upchere at Sutton and took and carried away twenty cartloads of [peas] to the value of ten pounds. Foster not guilty; Upchere fined for pursuing a false claim.

Membrane 10r.

34. Edward Gunton of Sutton, husbandman, answers John [Scimitie] in a plea of non-payment of ten pounds relating to a bond of obligation, 30 Dec. 1584 at Ely. Gunton is fined.

35. Thomas Walker [place of abode and occupation not stated] answers Thomas Archer in a plea of non-payment of sixty-three shillings and four pence relating to the lease of a messuage, 5 acres of land and four acres of pasture with appurtenances in Tydd St Giles, 1 May 1585. Walker is fined.

36. Edmund Williams of Elm, labourer, answers Thomas Palmer in a plea of non-payment of seventy-five shillings relating to the lease of a messuage with one acre of land in Elm, Feast of the Annunciation [25 Mar.] 1583. Williams is fined.

37. John Allen of Ely, yeoman, administrator of the goods and chattels of William Pelham who died intestate answers Timothy Rawlin in a plea of non-payment of forty marks relating to a bond of obligation, 9 Oct. 1583 at Wisbech. Verdict not stated.

Membrane 10v.

38. Edmund Clarke of Wisbech, blacksmith, answers William Votier, alias Guyllam, in a plea of trespass on the case relating to the sale of ten dozen horseshoes and horse nails on 1 Aug. 1581. Verdict not stated.

39. Richard Michell of Ely, yeoman, answers Stephen Barton of Kingston, gentleman, in a plea of non-payment of twenty pounds relating to a bond of obligation, 1 May 1585 at Ely. Michell is fined.

40. Richard Key of Ely, labourer, answers Richard Bovis in a plea of trespass that on 20 Mar. 1585 he broke and entered Bovis’ close at Ely and cut down and broke the stakes [or fence] fixed there. Verdict not stated.

Membrane 11r.

41. Geoffrey Bradshawe of Wisbech, tailor, answers Robert Wilkinson, executor of the will of Thomas Wilkinson, late of King’s Lynn, Norfolk, draper, deceased, in a plea of non-payment of thirty pounds relating to a bond of obligation, 12 Jan. 1581 at Wisbech. The bond of obligation is recited. Bradshawe says he paid Wilkinson in his lifetime. To proceed to jury trial.

42. John Johnson of Ely, yeoman, answers Stephen Barton of Kingston, gentleman, in a plea of non-payment of twenty pounds relating to a bond of obligation, 1 May 1585 at Ely. Richard is fined and arrested [it is not clear if this is an error by the scribe or if it is a reference to entry 39].

Membrane 11v.

43. William Adyson of Whittlesey, labourer, answers William Harwood in a plea of trespass that on 14 Sept. 1586 he took and impounded [or enclosed] two horses worth ten pounds in a field called Stone Old Field. The ownership of the field is disputed. To proceed to jury trial.

Membrane 12r.

44. Warrant of attorney, [full list not transcribed].