Court Rolls Six to Ten
Willington Manor Court Rolls Introduction
Willington Manor Court Rolls Index
Court Roll 6
Document ref.R8/62/1/3 (membrane 1)
October 9th 1403
Wilington View with court held there on Tuesday in the feast of St. Dennis in the 5th year of Henry IV [9th October 1403]
There was a gap of six years between the previous surviving roll and this one. A turbulent period in the history of the Mowbray lords began in September 1397 and lasted until about 1412. Thomas Mowbray was implicated in the execution of his father-in-law, who was uncle to king Richard ll.
- Four people including the Prior of Newnham, did not attend court and were fined
- Two men were sworn in to tithings.
- There were four ruined tenements,
- One swarm of bees were dealt with as strays.
- Thirteen men were brewers, one was described as brewing constantly, but two brewed three times.
- Two lands were surrendered and two were granted out, at the lord's will and owing suit of court.
Full transcript of Court Roll 6 (pdf)
Court Roll 7
Document ref.R8/62/1/1 (membranes 3 & 3d)
October 25th 1404
Welyngton View of Frankpledge with Court held there on the next day after the feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude in the sixth Year of the reign of Henry the fourth after the conquest
- Two men did not attend court.
- Three men had ruined buildings.
- There were 19 brewers, and two brewed constantly.
- There was one act of violence, one contempt of court, and one trespass.
- On three occasions the constable did not collect fines. The hue was called four times, three of which were upheld.
- A dovecote on the manor was rented out for a year.
- This was the first court at which a second jury of 12 sworn men confirmed 'that the tithing men, Constable and Tasters of Ale spoke well and faithfully and concealed nothing.'
Full transcript of Court Roll 7 (pdf)
Court Roll 8
Document ref. R8/62/1/3 (membrane 2)
October 26th 1406
Welyngton View with Court of Joan Queen of England, keeper of all the lands and tenements in common lately belonging to Thomas Mowbray. Rendered into the hands of the lady being Queen during the minority of John Mowbray, held there on the Tuesday next before the feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude in the eighth year of the reign of Henry the fourth after the conquest
This was the first time that the Queen of England was named as the lady of the manor during the minority of the heir, John Mowbray. He was aged 15 in 1407 when he became a ward of the king's mother-in-law and later worked for the king.
- Common fines of 12s were paid. One colt came as a stray. The hue was called twice. There were two ruined buildings and three men joined tithings.
- The tasters had not diligently performed their office and were fined. There were 15 brewers, one a woman. Two men brewed eight times, and one brewed six times.
- One holding was granted according to the custom of the manor and an entry fine paid.
- The twelve sworn men presented that the tithing men, Constable and Tasters of Ale spoke well and faithfully and concealed nothing.'
Full transcript of Court Roll 8 (pdf)
Court Roll 8b
Document ref. R8/62/1/3 (dorse of membrane 2)
April 18th 1407
Welyngton Court of Joan Queen of England, keeper of all the land and tenements lately belonging to Thomas Mowbray deceased, in the County of Bedford, being laid in the hand of the lady Queen during the minority of [blank] Mowbray, held there Monday next before the feast of St. George [April 23rd] in the viijo [8th] year of the reign of King Henry the fourth after the conquest
- Seven buildings needed repair and had been put right. One tenant agreed to pay the lady 4d for timber.
- One holding is granted according to the custom of the manor, for one life, and there are two men who pledge for the repairs.
- A plea of debt is referred to the court in Bedford.
Full transcript of Court Roll 8b (pdf)
Court Roll 9
Document ref. R8/62/1/3 (membrane 3)
October 11th 1407
Welyngton View with Court of Joan Queen of England, held there Tuesday next after the feast of St Denis [9th October] in the ninth year of the reign of King Henry the fourth after the conquest
- There were 2 overflowing ditches and a common way had been blocked up.
- The hue was called 3 times, 2 being considered just.
- There were 14 brewers
- A colt had been taken in as a stray
- Two landscape features were mentioned: Cople End and Hoo ditch.
- A tenant had left the manor and his holding. He was expected to pay damages and a fine of a horse. Three holdings were granted to new tenants for one life each. Two of these tenants provided two pledges in support of their tenancies. One tenant was required to provide services in addition to his rent and one was required to provide socage, another term for services, in addition to his rent.
- A plea of debt was not dealt with because the accused did not come to court.
- The second jury of 12 sworn men confirmed 'that the tithing men, Constable and Tasters of Ale spoke well and faithfully and concealed nothing.
Full transcript of Court Roll 9 (pdf)
Court Roll 9b
Document ref. R8/62/1/3 (dorse of membrane 3)
May 14th 1408
This record is written below the end of roll 9a, so no 'Welyngton' heading
Court held there on Monday next before the feast of St. Dunstan in the ninth year of the reign of Henry lVth
- William Rydere is named as bailiff.
- There were 2 deaths; 2 widows took over the holdings.
- 2 tenants had buildings needing repair and repairs to the mill pond were needed.
- The tenancy of 1 cottage was transferred, 'according to the custom of the manor' and the new tenant provided 2 pledges.
- 2 pleas of debt were settled out of court.
Full transcript of Court Roll 9b (pdf)
Court Roll 10
Document ref. R8/62/1/3/(membrane 5)
October 17th 1408
Welyngton View with Court of Joan Queen of England on the Wednesday next before the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist [18th October] in the tenth year of the reign of King Henry the fourth after the conquest
- This record is longer and more detailed than the previous ones held by the Queen, suggesting a change in management. John Gostwick was named as the keeper of the wood of the Shire, presumably this is new appointment.
- Two tenants were excused (that is, essoined) two other tenants did not attend.
- The roll records four overflowing drains, 3 buildings (two being inset-houses) needing repair, one hue unjustly called, the miller overcharging his customers, one stray animal.
- There were 15 brewers and one alehouse.
- Three tenants had died and no tenant for their holdings could be found.
- Two other tenants died but their widows took over their tenancies.
- Isabell Carter, who was listed as a brewer in roll 8, surrendered her cottage.
- There were six pleas of debt and one case of a tenant not returning an animal that he had borrowed.
Full transcript of Court Roll 10 (pdf)