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Court Rolls 16 to 20

Court Roll 16

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April 13th 1414

Court held there on Friday next before the feast of Saints Tiberius and Valeriam [14th April] in the second year of the reign of Henry the fifth after the conquest

William Rydere was the Reeve. One essoin
John Rydere paid 2s for permission for the marriage of his daughter. This is the only occasion when this fine, called 'merchet,' is recorded in Willington.
Trees and timber were allowed to seven tenants, including to the miller to repair the mill dam.
Still two tenants had not put right their ruined buildings. They were ordered to do so before the next court or pay a penalty of xs [10 shillings].

Full transcript of Court Roll 16 (pdf)

Court Roll 17

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October 10th 1414

Welyngton View of Frankpledge with Court of John Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham and Marshall of England, held there on the Wednesday next after the feast of St Dennis [9^th October] in the second year of the reign of Henry the fifth after the conquest

The Head Steward held the court. William Rydere was said to be the Reeve.
There were no essoins. The Prior of Newnham and two other tenants did not attend. The Prior was warned, the other two were fined.
One colt, aged three years, was a stray.
The miller took excess toll.
The Tasters of Ale have not kept their duties and were fined. There were three brewers.
On one occasion a woman called the hue.
A young man entered a tithing.
A tenant died and his widow took over the holding.
Two buildings needed repair. The Reeve handed over timber to two tenants.
There was one plea of debt.

Full transcript of Court Roll 17 (pdf)

Court Roll 18

Document ref.R8/62/1/4 (membrane 7 & 7d)

April 18th 1415

Court of John Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham and Marshall of England, held there on Thursday next after the feast of Saints Tiburtius and Valerianus [14^th April] in the third year of the reign of Henry the fifth after the conquest.

The Head Steward held the court. William Rydere was said to be the Reeve.
Five tenants have ruined buildings.
One tenant handed over his holding to another without permission. The latter produced guarantors and was admitted as tenant for his life.
Two men are fined for trespassing in the wood.
There was one plea of debt.

This document also includes the Wylyton Court Roll with account at Michaelmas in the third year of Henry V [5th 1415]

Two holdings surrendered and then each was granted to another for one life.
Timber was handed over to 6 tenants, including two crab-trees for the workings of the mill.

Five by-laws were passed

'Everyone whatsoever who has any land in the common fields is to make one drain on their land before the feast of St. Mark next in the future.'
'Everyone whatsoever should keep their sheep and calves within their enclosures so that neither their sheep nor calves cause any damage in either the grain or the grass of their neighbours'
'Everyone whatsoever who holds any pigs in the township, who puts the said pigs in the keeping of the community keeper of pigs, just as most of the community's pigs are put, if this does not happen [they] must pay the lord vjd [6d] and vjd [6d] to the church. And anyone who always keeps his pigs in his own custody has paid the salary and stipend of the community keeper of pigs for his neighbours in the township.'
'No-one is to tie any bullocks within the corn of their neighbours also that their foals make no damage.'
'No bullocks are to be depastured or pastured for all the year in those fields in which horses are pastured.'

Full transcript of Court Roll 18 (pdf)

Court Roll 19

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October 22nd 1415

Welyngton View of Frankpledge with Court held there on Tuesday next before the feast of the apostles Simon and Jude [28th October] in the third year of the reign of Henry the fifth after the conquest.

The steward holding the court is named as 'Botelere' and is named as the head steward in the expenses at the end of the roll.
There were three essoins and the usual common fines. The Prior of Newnham did not come to court and was warned. Another tenant did not come and was fined.
A bullock and a swarm of bees came as strays and were kept.
Three tenants had diverted their watercourses and were ordered to put them right.
Two women called the hue on John Crook, formerly a shepherd, who had assaulted one of them. John Crook was also accused of being in debt to another tenant.
There were six brewers of ale.
Six tenants had ruined buildings. Timber for repairs was handed over to four tenants.
Four prosperous tenants had not kept their bullocks 'tied by cord and stake' and so were each fined an extra 12d.
A holding which was surrendered was let to a husband and wife for their lives, that is, for two lives. They were not allowed to sublet. They were also granted a second holding.
Another holding was surrendered and then granted to a tenant for his life.
A further two holdings, which presumably had been without tenants, were let to tenants according to the custom of the manor.

Full transcript of Court Roll 19 (pdf)

Court Roll 20

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May 27th 1415

Court held there on Wednesday in the Vigil of the Ascension of the Lord in the fourth year of the reign of Henry Fifth after the conquest.

The steward holding the court is named as 'Bekingham', the bailiff is William Rydere.'
Four tenants were excused attendance at court. A further tenant did not come, but was pardoned.
Ten tenants had ruined buildings and were granted timber. 'The aforesaid tenants have not put the aforesaid in good order on account of scarcity of straw.'
A tenant was accused of cutting down a poplar without permission. He was ordered to hand it over to the lord to use as he thought best. The same tenant had also carried away four hinges to use in his house. He was ordered to give them back.
Felicia Prentys surrendered her holding because she was 'incapable of holding and sustaining the said holding.'

There is no reference to the second jury at this court.

By-law passed:

'Those tenants who hold bullocks should have them in the field called Eastfeld, which was cut this year, to sustain and pasture their bullocks. And that the said bullocks shall not be kept in any other fields.'

Full transcript of Court Roll 20 (pdf)

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