English Economic History: Select Documents. Various

services, etc., saving the right, etc. And the fine for entry is put in respite until the next court.

      Distraint.

      Tenements to be seized.

      William Tompsey of Bradford, the lord's bondman, who held a messuage and a bovate of bondage land in Bradford, is a runaway, because [he holds] other tenements in Moreton by York by hereditary descent. Therefore he is distrained to dwell on the tenement here. Let the tenements at Moreton be seized into the lord's hand, etc.

      William Clerk of Clayton, who held a messuage and 2 bovates of land in Clayton by knight service, is dead. Let William, his son and heir, of the age of two years, together with the tenements aforesaid, be seized into the hands of the lord the Earl. And hereupon comes Alice, who was the wife of the same William Clerk, and says that she was jointly enfeoffed of the aforesaid tenements with the aforesaid William, her husband, and craves a day at the next Court to show her charters thereof, and has it. William, the son and heir, is committed to the wardship of the aforesaid Alice to be kept safely without a wife. Pledges, William son of Adam of Horton and Roger del Holyns.

      Fine, 10s.

      Whereas before these times a stall was taken from the lord's waste in the market place of Bradford to be holden by the services of 6d. a year, and hereupon one Adam Notebroun, receiver of the money of the lord the Earl [took it], to hold in the said form, etc., and afterwards the same Adam alienated that stall to one Hugh son of Thomas in fee for [20s.], on account whereof the stall was seized into the lord's hand according to the form of the statute; and hereupon the same Hugh comes here and says that he took the stall for 20s. and paid only 10s. thereof to the same Adam, etc., and craves that he [may pay the said 10s.] and hold the stall in the form in which [it was held] after it was taken; which is granted to him by the steward. Pledge for payment, of the aforesaid 10s. … And order is made to levy from the aforesaid Adam another 10s. to the use of the lord, unless he may have better grace by the counsel of the lord, etc.

      Inquisition of office.

      It is presented by William de Berecroft … that Thomas son of Thomas 12(d.), Ralph atte Tounhend (8d.), William … (12d.), and William son of John (6d.) exercise the trades of tanner and shoemaker. Therefore they are in mercy. And it is ordered that they be attached to abjure, etc.

      Mercy, 10d.

      Further, they present that Hugh son of Thomas exercises the trade of butcher together with the trades of shoemaker and tanner. Therefore it is ordered that he be attached to abjure those two trades, etc.

      Mercy, 12d.

      Further, that Alice Geldoghter and Adam Notebroun are bakers and sell bad bread contrary to the assize. Therefore they are [in mercy].

      Sum of this tourn, with waifs and strays, 24s. 1d.

      Court of Bradford holden on Thursday next before the feast of St. Gregory the Pope, 24 Edward III.

      Acknowledgment of service.

      Thomas le Harpour and Alice his wife, daughter and heir of Robert de Manynghame, come here into Court and acknowledge that they hold of the lord a messuage and a cottage and 8 acres of land by knight service by homage and fealty and suit of court every three weeks, rendering therefrom yearly 2s. at the usual terms; and they give to the lord 4s. for relief.

      Fine,½ mark.

      William Iveson came into Court and made fine with the lord by ½ mark for licence to exercise the trades of tanner and shoemaker until Michaelmas next. Pledge, William son of Hugh the Bailiff.

Court holden at Bradford the day and year aforesaid.[108]

      Leyrwite.

Agnes Chilyonge of Manningham, the lord's bondwoman, came here in Court and made fine of 12d. with the lord for her leyrwite[109]; pledge, William Walker; and the fine is not more because she is very poor and has nothing.

      [m. 32.]

Court holden at Bradford on Friday next before the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, 28 Edward III.[110]

      Fine, 20s.

John Abbot, William son of Henry de Allerton, John Dughti, Robert de Oldfeld, and Adam de Oldfeld, who mainprised[111] for the aforesaid John Abbot to keep the peace towards all persons and specially towards Roger Fairegh, under a penalty of 10l. to be paid to the lord Duke, now, because the aforesaid John Abbot beat and evilly entreated the aforesaid Roger Fairegh, on account whereof the aforesaid penalty of 10l. ought to be levied from the aforesaid John Abbot and his mainpernors,[112] because the express cause for which the aforesaid penalty should be rightly levied is now come to pass; nevertheless, the aforesaid lord Duke, mindful that they are all his bondmen, and regarding their poverty, has granted of his special grace that the aforesaid John Abbot and his mainpernors may make fine of 20s. for the aforesaid 10l. forfeited, to be paid at Michaelmas next; and each of them is the others' pledge.

      Merchet

      Roger son of Roger de Manynghame has made fine of ½ mark for the merchet of Cecily his wife, the lord's bondwoman; pledge, Thomas de Manynghame.

      Merchet.

Thomas Gabriell has made fine of ½ mark in like manner for the merchet[113] of Maud his wife, the lord's bondwoman; pledge, Thomas de Tiresale.

      Fine, 6d.

      Thomas de Tiresale has made fine of 6d. with the lord for licence to have John son of Roger Childyong, the lord's bondman, in his service until Michaelmas next, so that he then render the aforesaid John to the lord's bailiffs, etc.

      Chevage.

Agnes daughter of Adam atte Yate, the lord's bondwoman, has made fine for her chevage[114], for licence to dwell wheresoever she will, to wit, 6d. to be paid yearly at Michaelmas and Easter in equal portions; pledge, Robert atte Yate.

      Distrain.

It is presented by Roger Judson, Thomas son of Roger, Thomas Gabriel, Adam del Oldfeld, Robert de Oldfeld, and John atte Yate, that Cecily de la More,[115] the lord's bondwoman, has been violated by John Judson; therefore let her be distrained to make fine therefor with the lord.

      Distrain.

      Further, it is presented that Isabel daughter of William Childyong, the lord's bondwoman, has married one William Cisson, a free man, without licence. And Alice daughter of John Gepson, the lord's bondwoman, has married one William del Hale, a free man, at Beston, without licence; therefore let them be distrained to make fine with the lord for their merchet, etc.

      Inquest.

      Let inquest be made touching the sons and daughters of William del Munkes, who dwell at Darthington and are the lord Duke's bondmen and bondwomen of Bradford, etc.

      Arrest.

      Further, it is presented that Alice daughter of William Childyong, the lord's bondwoman, dwells at York; therefore let her be taken, etc.

      Sum of this Court:—35s. 3d. {Merchets, 13s. 4d. Thereof further for chevage, 6d. {Perquisites, 21s. 11d.

      [m. 45 d.]

      Court holden at Bradford on Wednesday, 12 December, 32 Edward III [1358].

      Day given under