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A Medieval Drowning in Chawston

Volume 41 produced by Bedfordshire Historical Records Society in 1961 is devoted to 13th and 14th century coroner's rolls for Bedfordshire from the National Archives, edited and translated by R. F. Hunnisett.

Entry 219 reads: "Towards vespers [evening prayer] on 16th January 1276 Philip the Tailor of Roxton was coming from Saint Neots towards Chawston, and came to "Chalvesternebroc" [presumably today's South Brook], tried to cross it on a plank, fell from the plank into the stream and drowned by misadventure. The next day his daughter Ellen searched for him, found him dead, raised the hue and found pledges, Richard of Thurleigh and Henry Torold of Roxton".