Our Legal Heritage: King AEthelbert - King George III, 600 A.D. - 1776Reilly, S. A.
History
Our Legal Heritage: King AEthelbert - King George III, 600 A.D. - 1776
Reilly, S. A.
Law -- England -- History
40. Robert, son of Robert of Ferrers, appeals Ranulf of Tattesworth,
for that he came into Robert's garden and wickedly and in the king's
peace assaulted Robert's man Roger, and beat and wounded him so that
his life was despaired of, and robbed him [Roger?] of a cloak, a sword,
a bow and arrows: and the said Roger offers to prove this by his body
as the court shall consider. And Ranulf comes and defends the whole of
it, word by word, and offers the king one mark of silver that he may
have an inquest of lawful knights [to say] whether he be guilty thereof
or no. Also he says that Roger has never until now appealed him of
this, and prays that this be allowed in his favor. [Ranulf's] offering
is accepted. The jurors say that in truth there was some quarrel
between Robert's gardener, Osmund, and some footboys, but Ranulf was
not there, and they do not suspect him of any robbery or any tort done
to Robert or to Osmund. Also the county records that the knights who on
Robert's complaint were sent to view Osmund's wounds found him
unwounded and found no one else complaining, and that Robert in his
plaint spoke of Osmund his gardener and never of Roger, and that Roger
never came to the county [court] to make this appeal. Therefore it is
considered that Ranulf be quit, and Robert and Roger in mercy. Pledge
for Ranulf's mark, Philip of Draycot. Pledges for the amercement, Henry
of Hungerhill, and Richard Meverell. Pledge for Roger, the said Robert.
41. One L. is suspected by the jurors of being present when Reinild of
Hemchurch was slain, and of having aided and counseled her death. And
she defends. Therefore let her purge herself by the ordeal of iron; but
as she is ill, the ordeal is respited until her recovery.
42. Andrew of Burwarton is suspected by the jurors of the death of one
Hervey, for that he concealed himself because of that death. Therefore
let him purge himself by ordeal of water.
43. Godith, formerly wife of Walter Palmer, appeals Richard of Stonall,
for that he in the king's peace wickedly and by night with his force
came to her house and bound her and her husband, and afterwards slew
the said Walter her husband; and this she offers to prove against him
as wife of the slain as the court shall consider. And he defends all of
it. And the jurors and the whole neighborhood suspect him of that
death. And so it is considered that he purge himself by ordeal of iron
for he has elected to bear the iron.
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