Medieval Sudden Death and Robbery in Riseley

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 187 reads as follows: "About prime on 19th April [1274] Joan, a poor child aged 5, went through Riseley to beg for bread, came to a bridge called 'Fordebrugge' and, as she tried to cross it, fell into the water and drowned by misadventure. Her mother, Alice daughter of Bicke first found her drowned and found pledges, Walter Forde and Walter Tumby of Riseley".

Entry 190 reads: "John of Twydell, Northamptonshire, was arrested at Riseley with a surcoat of 'russet', a wimple of linen cloth and a hood of 'blu' lambs-fur and brought into the full county court before the sheriff and coroners. Margery of Riseley [deposed] the said theft against him as against a felon and John confessed before the coroners that he was a thief and said that the whole township received him and Richard of Huntingdon with their stolen goods. The sheriff was told to arrest Maud Pollard and Richard of Huntingdon. John of Twydell was delivered to gaol".