Court Rolls 69 to 72

Court Roll 69

October 1556

View of Frankpledge with Court of Elizabeth Petre, first daughter of Sir William Petre.

After the death of Sir John's eventual heir, his brother William, Sir William Petre secured the custody of William's children and eventually married the eldest son John to his daughter Elizabeth. This John Gostwick has been described as 'a man of great simplicity' and of 'little or no understanding.[1]'

The court record is very short. 

• One tenant was excused attendance, two were fined for non-attendance and two were listed as 'should have come' but not fined.
• William Benett, whose father and grandfather had held land on the manor, was granted freely two acres and a half acre of land with separate appurtenances in the fields.
• Two bakers are named, but no brewer.
• William Peck 'has cut down and carried away three perches, called poles, in the lady's wood, without permission from the lady,' so he paid a fine.

[1] Finberg, H.P.R., 'The Gostwicks of Willington' Publications of the Bedfordshire Historical Records Society, vol. XXXVl p.88.

Full transcript of Court Roll 69 (pdf)

Court Roll 70

October 1557

View of Frankpledge with Court of Elizabeth Petre.

• One tenant was excused attendance, one was fined for non-attendance, and a widow should have come, but was not fined. Nicholas Luke esquire, first Baron of the Exchequer, was named.
• The tenants paid land silver and common fine.
• Two bakers are named, but no brewer.
• A cow had come as a stray.
• A tenant broke into the lady's meadow and stole something, and John Gostwick, gentleman, broke down a hedge and was ordered to put it right or pay a penalty.
• A constable was sworn in.

Full transcript of Court Roll 70 (pdf)

Court Roll 71

October 1558

View of Frankpledge with Court of John Gostwick Esquire, son and heir of William Gostwick, deceased, and Elizabeth wife of the same John, first daughter of the above-named William Petre.

• Four tenants were fined for not attending court.
• It was estimated that a Messuage would cost £7 to repair. A tenant was ordered to repair his Messuage or pay 20s penalty. A tenant was ordered to repair his stable or pay 10s penalty.
• A sow worth 5d came as a stray.
• A tenant trespassed in the wood and carried some away. Another put too many animals on his common pasture.
• The tenants paid land silver and common fine.
• One baker and one brewer were named, and one constable was sworn in.

Full transcript of Court Roll 71 (pdf)

Court Roll 72

October 1559

View of Frankpledge With Court of the aforesaid John Gostwyk and Elizabeth his wife.

• 'Nicholas Luke Esquire the first Baron of the Exchequer of the lady Queen, John Aleyn Esquire, John Gostwyk son of Edward Gostwyk deceased, owed Suit of Court and made default.'
• Two sheep came as strays.
• The tenants paid land silver and common fine.
• Thomas Lynwood, the Miller, took out the axle beam of the same Mill and the wheel called the Ichale of the same Mill' and the Mill is ruined because of his neglect.
• Tenants should not permit their pigs to be unringed or insufficiently pegged after the feast of Saint Martin the bishop in winter [November 11^th] under a penalty of iiijd [4d] to the lord of this Manor.
• The tenants should not keep more animals than they are allowed on the Common Pastures.
• Inhabitants of Cople should not bring their pigs [into to the manor?] or they will forfeit 8d to the lord for each pig.
• One baker was named and a constable was appointed. No mention of a brewer.

Full transcript of Court Roll 72 (pdf)