Court Book of Assemblies, Hundred, Record and Strangers (Piepowder) Courts

WIN/51

Court Book of Assemblies, Hundred, Record and Strangers (Piepowder) Courts

1527-1558

The book comprises 277 folios of paper. At the time of deposit it was in bad condition, the leather perished and worn and many of the pages torn and weak. In carrying out its repair at the West Sussex Record Office at Chichester the original materials and appearance have been rigorously preserved. To carry out repair the book was stripped, which gave an opportunity for a close examination of its make up and for determining what had been cut or torn out in the past. Details of this collation are available in typescript in the ESRO. During the dismantling fragments of quills, glass and brass filings were found amongst the 'pounce' and other debris which had accumulated over 400 years in the binding. After repair and resizing the gatherings were resewn on the original bands, relined with parchment, the same holes being used throughout. No glue has been used to hold the sections together, as in the original binding. The decayed cover was mounted on goat's skin and the original straps refixed with new lacings.

The contents of this volume are as follows:

Folio

1-26 missing

27 Incomplete entry of a Hundred Court, including postponement of the taking of the mayoral oath of Thomas Foster, mayor elect, while he holds office as Chief Customer of Chichester; post 28 Apr 1527

27v Hundred Court; 19 May 1527

28 Hundred Court: enactments on purchases and sales of foreigners (persons living outside the liberty) and upon the selling of the freedom to strangers, 8 Jun 1527

29v-31 Hundred Courts: 13 Jul 1527-28 Aug 1527

30 pendant of hill before his gate from the Watchbell Gate at the north down to Iham Ground, and at the south from the first tower of the butts down to the marsh, granted for 99 years to George Lowys, ex-mayor, at 12d; 13 Jul 1527

31 v Memorandum of mainprise [a recognizance or surety in a penal sum of money] for Nicholas Walter, brickmaker, by Richard Clerke, yeoman, Thomas Breress, brewer, John Sheppard, lighterman, and Richard Lowe, plumber, all of Winchelsea, to appear in court for finding the purse, money and writings of William Fisher of London merchant; 13 Sep 1527

32-36 Memorandum of admission as freeman of John Coveley at a Common Court, who was immediately elected jurat; 15 Oct 1527

34 Hundred Courts: These include a re-enactment of penalties for breaches of the peace, laying a rate for Dynesdale bridge to be made 340 feet, 100 longer than contract; builder Thomas Cuckoo to be paid extra (fos 32v-33); a contract with Thomas Cokowe for the bridge (fo 34); the Grand Jury sworn to make enquiry 'for the lord king according to the articles for such enquiry kept in the town chest' (fo 34v); the election of burgesses to parliament (fo 36); 21 Dec 1527-8 Sep 1529

36v Guestling [joint meeting of the representatives of the Cinque Ports] held at Winchelsea, at which 'the great charter graunted by divers kinges to the hoole portes' was read and clarification sought from parliament; 18 Sep 1529

37 Hundred Court: Two freemen were elected and thereafter it was decreed that 3 jurats and 10 commoners should have full authority to hear, determine, judge and acquit all and singular matters that belong to the town of Winchelsea of and in the name of the whole inhabitants; [Compare a similar expedient tried at Rye in 1563, Records of Rye Corporation, pp, 1,2] 15 Jan 1530

37v Hundred Courts; 24 Apr 1530-1 May 1530

38 Hundred Court: At this court the mayor and jurats decided they 'shulde serche all suche actes and put them in a boke that they mygth be knowyn and showyd the next hundred' Also made ordinances for maltsters, victuallers and tipplers; 18 Jun 1531

38 three common bakers for the town; 1531

38 agreement to let to Nicholas White that part of the court-house which he now occupies, as Thomas Foster had, for 20 years at 3s 4d, paying the king's rent; 1538

39 Hundred Court: Agreement to lease part of the Court Hall to Nicholas Whyt made by the whole Assembly; 10 Jun 1538

40,41 missing

42-45v Hundred Courts: includes assignment of auditors to hear the accounts of the church and town (f43); decision to sell the great chalice towards the reparations of the bridge (f43v); recital of the ancient custom that the mayor should make one freeman during his term of office (f44); 'a scout watch at the sea side in the time of the wars' being an order to view all the able-bodied men with their harness [The confusion of municipal and parochial affairs is very noticeable in these small boroughs] 'as appeareth by a book thereof remaining in the Court House' and to establish a rota for the watch (fo 44v); the bells of the great cross to be sold to defray town debts: 30 Nov 1545-8 Apr 1548

43 memorandum that the Pewes Gate should be removed by John Watts and John Lowys; 22 Jul 1546

44 Edward Scrase shall set the eaves of his house upon the church wall adjoining his house, paying to the church 4d a year; 5 Apr 1547

46-48v Hundred Courts: The last folio also contains a memorandum of an inquisition on the felony of Joan Brice of Winchelsea, spinster, alleged to have stolen a 'cawthorne of brasse'; followed by some notes of recognizances to the town; 6 May 1549-1 May 1550

49-51 missing

52 Hundred Courts, 5 Apr - 1 May 1551; includes a grant of tenement and quay at the Strand with a piece of adjoining land to Thomas Eglyston, jurat, at 5s; 1551

53 missing

54 Hundred Courts: Agreement to lease the town shop at Strand to Thomas Egylston. Also to pay a retainer of 10s to Mr Ramsey, lawyer, 'as learned counsellor to the town'; 9, 16 Apr 1553

54v grant of a shop at the Strand adjoining the town storehouse and a dock before the shop to Thomas Egylston at 3s Od; 1553

55-56 Hundred Courts: Resolution that after this Hundred 'there shall no course of piepowder holden at Wychelsea but whosoever requyrythe the same course shall pay in money the sum of 10s sterlyng' (fo 55v). Resolution that the mayor, William Egylstone and Mr Lucy shall follow the suit of the Queen for the relief of the town (fo 56); Thomas Hoker, town clerk, to have 5s for writing the charter; 11 Sep - 1 Dec 1553

56 Assembly (assilatio) held for the election of burgesses to parliament The nomination of these given to the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports; 11 Mar 1554

56v Hundred Court: feefarm on a tenement called Plummers in Quarter 13 granted to George Mylwan 1 Apr 1554

57 Assembly, 30 Oct [1554?]

57 grant to John Mylwarr of a tenement called Plummers in Quarter 13, rent 2s 0d; 1554

57v acknowledgement of a common recovery of a tenement in Quarter 3, daughters of William Woolvin (William Stone and wife Margaret, Adam Cramper and wife Elizabeth) to Agnes Smith of Winchelsea, widow; 19 Nov 1555

58 Hundred Courts: 21, 29 Apr 1555

59 missing

60-61 Hundred Courts: resolved that John Guildford kt may have a house in the Butchery, on condition that the neighbouring house is not decayed, and that the poor people of St John's Hospital may have their reed land again, which JG keeps from them; 1556 (fo 60); 3 freemen admitted, 1 by election, 1 by birthright and 1 by mayor's choice (fo 60v); 1 Mar - 19 Apr 1556

60v no idle or suspect person to let a house unless the owner notifies the mayor or forfeit 10s; non residents to be assessed as in the other ports; 1556

62 blank

62v-70v Hundred Courts: request for a land scot for the repair of the bridge leading to Rye rejected by the court (fo 64); regulations as to ballast dumping (fo 64); resolution on the mastership and repair of the town hospitals (fo 70) The entries for 1558-9 seem to be incomplete; 21 Dec 1556-21 Dec 1559

64 the three town butchers summoned and agreed to kill a bullock a week to furnish the town market; 1557

70 appointment of master and mistress of hospitals of St John and St Bartholomew; to live in chapel of St John, 'build it up' the houses and chapel of St John within three years; to pay queen's rent and to receive the rents belonging to the hospitals; 21 Dec 1559

71 missing

70v recognizance by Michael Bisson of Winchelsea lighterman to keep an inn with three beds; 9 Apr 1561

72v Memorial of a plea of debt on a statute staple; 13 Jan [1560]

73-122 Common Courts: Piepowder Courts entered on fos 78v, 79, 82v, 87v, 88, 90, 97, 104v, 106v, 109, 111 After Apr 1528 the type of court is not specified; 2 May 1526-16 Feb 1529

122v blank

123 Memorandum of payment by the Rye jurats to the chamberlain of Winchelsea of 12s 'mesurage' on salt charged on Hans Fischer, Hollander attached at Winchelsea.

Copy of a letter to Winchelsea from Thomas Cheyney, Lord Warden, demanding nomination of their burgesses to parliament, 31 Aug 1553

Copy of a letter to the members of the Cinque Ports from the Lord Warden's deputies, John Monynges and Joseph Beverley, concerning the canopy service at Queen Mary's coronation, 2 Sep 1553

123v blank

124-29 missing

130-58v Common Courts: Piepowder Courts entered on fos 144, 144v, 149 31 Apr 1540-14 Jul 1545

159 blank [part missing]

160-204v Common Courts, Piepowder Courts entered on fos 171, 181 At the foot of f204v is the note: 'turn after to the list of parchments and there are the rest of the actions' which presumably means proceed beyond the enrolled deeds following to f249 where the entries for the Common Court are resumed; 6 Oct 1545-13 Mar 1554

Enrolled deeds, as follows:

205 Feoffment from William Raffe of Icklesham and his wife Joan (one of the daughters and heirs of William Tokey of Winchelsea, deceased) to Robert Tokey of Fairlight:

A tenement and garden in the 19th quarter of Winchelsea having the street on the E, the land of George Lowes on the S, the land of George Awoode called 'Tresgenthaull' on the W and the land of Thomas Holden on the N.

Certificate that Joan was examined by the corporation for proof of consent and the town seal attached; 18 Feb 1539

205v Feoffment from Nicholas Clerke, mariner, and his wife Joan, to George Lowes, the younger yeoman, all of Winchelsea:

A messuage and garden in the parish of St Thomas the Apostle. Lying in the 12th quarter of Winchelsea having the street opposite The Whecebelles gate [Strand Gate] on the N and E, the land of the heirs of Richard Okeman on the S and the tenement of George a Woode on the W.

Certificate that Joan was examined by the corporation for proof of consent and the town seal attached; 7 Apr 1541

206 Feoffment from John Bowyer, king's bailiff of the Honour of Petworth and his wife Margaret (daughter and heir of Richard Barkeley of Winchelsea, deceased) to Thomas Hynxstend of Winchelsea, merchant, and his wife Agnes:

A capital messuage with garden Lying in the high street (alto vico) and 7th quarter of Winchelsea, which descended to Margaret by hereditary right.

Power of attorney from the donors to Goddard Heman and Thomas Hellock to deliver seisin.

Certificate that Margaret was examined by the corporation for proof of consent and the town seal attached; 12 Sep 1541

206v Feoffment from Robert Hollden of Winchelsea to John Goddard: A tenement, garden and a plot of land adjoining in the 6th quarter of Winchelsea having a lane and land of the donor on the E, the donor's land and the street on the S, land of the heirs of William Gaunt on the W and a lane on the N, which property the donor acquired from Richard Drinker as his charter shows; 15 Jan 1539

206v Feoffment from Thomas Hoker and his wife Joan to William Oxenbridge, all of Winchelsea:

A tenement and garden Lying in the 7th quarter of Winchelsea, having the land late of Richard Martham on the E, the land of James Rogers on the W, the street on the N and the land of the heirs of John Soter on the S.

Certificate that Joan was examined by the corporation for proof of consent and the town seal attached; 28 Apr 1549

207 blank

207v-8 Common Courts: A very full entry for three courts, more carefully enrolled than anything else in the volume; 27 Sep-25 Oct 1541

208v blank

209 Memorial of examination of Mercy, wife of Thomas Bocher as in following deed:

Feoffment from Thomas Bocher and his wife Mercy, both of Rye, to John Garrarde of Winchelsea

A moiety of a tenement and garden Lying in the 7th quarter of Winchelsea, having the lands of Thomas Gray on the E and W, the land of Thomas Hoker on the N and the street on the S, which descended to Mercy and Isabel Mathewson (daughters and co-heirs of Isabel Golde deceased). Certificate that Mercy was examined, etc; 29 May 1548

209v blank

210 missing [this is in fact a misnumeration as fos 209 and 21 ] together form the central folding of a gathering and there is no evidence that a half sheet ever existed between them]

211 Feoffment from Robert Bocher of Laughton, husbandman, and his wife Joan (daughter and heir of Thomas Marten of Winchelsea, deceased), to Jeremy Nashe and William Tawnton Consideration: 'a certain sum of money':

Two tenements lying in the 7th quarter of Winchelsea having a garden late of Thomas Greis on the E, the street on the S and a tenement and garden late of Tristram Cosker on the W and N Certificate that Joan was examined etc.

Witnesses to sealing: George Lewez [?Lowes], John Smythe, Thomas Roodes, Richard Clark, jurats, Edward Bradbridge, Thomas Convers, John Convers, sergeant at mace, Thomas Collins, Richard Wulfail'; 4 Dec 1548

211v Feoffment from Robert and Joan (as in previous deed) to Thomas Collyn of Winchelsea, shoemaker. Consideration: 'a certain sum of money':

A garden Lying in the 19th quarter of Winchelsea, having the street on the E and N, land lately belonging to the Chantry of Winchelsea on the W and the tenement of the donee on the S.

Certificate that Joan was examined, etc; 4 Dec 1548

212 Feoffment from Robert and Joan (as above) to Edward Brodbridge of Winchelsea Consideration: 'a certain sum of money'

A tenement with garden lying in the 14th quarter of Winchelsea, having the street on the E, W and S and the tenement and garden of Richard Clark on the N.

Certificate that Joan was examined, etc; 4 Dec 1548

212v Feoffment from Robert Inglond of the Cliffe next Lewes, draper and his wife Margery (late wife of William Hoode of Winchelsea, butcher, deceased) to John Sculley Consideration: 'a certain sum of money' [Part of this formula is omitted]:

Two tenements and gardens in The Bocherye in the parish of St Thomas in Winchelsea, having the lands of the heirs of Christopher Coucheman on the E, the tenement and garden of William Studden on the S, the tenement and garden belonging to Godfreys Chantry on the N and the street on the W, which property Margery had jointly with her late husband by gift from John Broughton of Winchelsea, butcher, by charter dated 10 Jan 1544.

Certificate that Margery was examined, etc; 10 Nov 1549

213 Feoffment from Thomas Hooker of Winchelsea, yeoman, and Joan his wife (daughter of John Gawnte of Garstang in Lancashire, deceased, and sister and heir of William Gawnte of Winchelsea, tailor, deceased), to William Eccleston, jurat of Winchelsea Consideration: 'a certain sum of money':

A plot of land containing three yards (virgas) in the 7th quarter of Winchelsea having a messuage [contrarie correctly, Cantarie, of the chantry, followed by a blank in the MS] on the S, a garden of the donor on the N, a messuage of the heirs of Thomas Graye on the W and the street on the E.

Certificate that Joan was examined, etc; 14 Jun 1549

213v Feoffment from Anthony Handcocke of St Katherine by the Tower, smith and his wife Elizabeth (daughter and heir of John Harte otherwise John Peers of Winchelsea, tailor, deceased) to John Hall of Winchelsea, gent.

Consideration: 'a certain sum of money':

1 A tenement and garden in the parish of St Giles in the 15th quarter of Winchelsea having the land of George Lowes on the W, the street leading from the Pipewellgate to Newgate on the E the tenement of John Wattes on the N and the street on the S.

2 A tenement and garden in the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in the 7th quarter of Winchelsea, having the tenement of the heirs of Robert Piper E, a tenement of the chantry of [blank MS] of Winchelsea and a garden of the heirs of John Bell on the W, the street leading from the church of St Thomas to The Bellgate on the N and the land of the heirs of John Bell on the S, which tenement and garden is now in the occupation of Thomas Convers of Winchelsea and was acquired by John Harte alias Peers by charter from Thomas Fenys [Fiennes] Lord Dacre.

3 Another plot of land in Q7, having a tenement and garden of the heirs of Robert Piper and a tenement of the heirs of John Harrison on the N the land of the heirs of John Bell on the S, the donors' tenement and garden in which Thomas Convers now lives on the W and the street on the E

All which premises came to Elizabeth by hereditary right.

Certificate that Elizabeth was examined, etc; 30 Aug 1549

Witnesses to livery of 1 above: John Garrard, Peter Bright, Thomas Skynner, Nicholas Harrold

213v-4 Feoffment from Robert Butcher of Waldron, husbandman, and his wife Joan (daughter and heir of Thomas Marten of Winchelsea, deceased) to John Smythe of Winchelsea, jurat. Consideration: 'a certain sum of money':

Two plots of land (3a) in the parish of St Giles in the [blank] quarter of Winchelsea, one of which is occupied by Thomas Collyns of Winchelsea, cordwainer, having land of the donee on the S, the street on the N, a common called The Pewes grene on the W and the street on the E, the other plot being occupied by Richard Sharpe otherwise Arthur, having the land of Sir John Guildford, kt, called Holly roodeland on the S, the street on the N, the common called Pewes Green on the W and the street on the E; both of which came to Joan by hereditary right.

Certificate that Joan was examined, etc; [blank] 1549

215 Feoffment from Thomas Hooker of Winchelsea and his wife Joan (sister and heir of William Gawnte as above) to William Frenche of Winchelsea:

1 a corner (angulare) messuage, called The Roofe, in the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in the high street (alto vico) of Winchelsea, which William Gawnte had by gift from James Marshall late of Winchelsea, deceased and which came to Joan by hereditary right.

2 two other messuages nearby in the same parish, in the 7th quarter of Winchelsea having the street and a tenement late of James Marshall on the E, the same tenement and the lands of the heirs of Henry Steede, lands late of Richard Golde and lands late of James Marshall on the S, lands of the heirs of Richard Martham and lands late of Richard Firret on the W and land of Richard Firret on the N; which two messuages formerly belonged to William Chapell late of Winchelsea, deceased and which he left by will to Joan, then his wife.

Certificate that Joan was examined, etc; 2 Jun 1550

215v Settlement (feoffment) from William Frenche, roper, to Thomas Hooker, innholder, both of Winchelsea:

Two messuages adjoining each other in the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in the 7th quarter of Winchelsea, having the street and the tenement late of James Marshall on the E, the said tenement and lands of William Eccleston, late of Richard Golde, William Eccleston, late of Richard Golde, [The repetition here may have been accidental, or it may indicate a series of alternately held plots; it has therefor been retained as in the original] and late of James Marshall on the S, hereafter described as in 2 of preceding deed.

To hold to the donee for life to Mary Irelond in tail, remainder to the donee's right heirs.

Witnesses to sealing and livery: John Hall, mayor, George Lewez, John Wattes, jurats, George Irelond, James Rogers and John Morlye; 7 Jun 1550

216 Feoffment from William Frenche, roper, to Mary Irelond, both of Winchelsea

A corner messuage called The Roofe in Q6 (E: messuage of John Goddard; W: road; N: land late John Gilgoore, land of Moses Tompset; S: road), in deed on f215 above, which WF lately took by fine in the Court of Record in Winchelsea from Thomas Hooker and his wife Joan.

To hold to Mary in tail, remainder to Thomas Hooker and his heirs.

Witnesses to sealing and livery as in preceding deed, with George Lowes for Lewez; 7 Jun 1550

216v Feoffment from John Durrant, husbandman and his wife Mercy to Richard Clarke, beer brewer, all of Winchelsea:

A tenement with garden in the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in the 13th quarter of Winchelsea, having the tenement of the heirs of John Belle on the W, the tenement of Edward Sergeant onetime of John Andrewes towards the S, the street on the N and E.

Certificate that Mercy was examined, etc

Witnesses to sealing and livery: John Hall [incomplete entry] Cancelled in another hand and marked vacat; 1 Jul 1550

217 Feoffment from George Chilton of Winchelsea, yeoman, and his wife Alice (formerly wife and executrix of Tristram Cosker of Winchelsea) to Richard Brice of Winchelsea and his sister Alice, in payment for goods and chattels bequeathed under the will of Tristram Cosker:

A tenement and two gardens in the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in the 8th quarter of Winchelsea, having the tenement of Edward Bradbridge on the W, the tenement late of John Marten now of John Garret on the E, the land late of Richard Firret on the N and the street on the S, which property Tristram Cosker and Alice formerly his wife acquired by the gift of Robert Sparrowe late of Winchelsea.

To hold to Alice Brice during her life, remainder to Richard and his heirs, Certificate that Alice Chilton was examined, etc.

Witnesses to sealing and livery: John Hall, mayor, John Wattes, William Ecclestone jurats, Nicholas Harrold, common clerk and John Moreley, sergeant; 28 Dec 1550

217v Feoffment from Moses Tomsete, yeoman and his wife Margaret to John Garret, tailor, all of Winchelsea. Consideration 'a certain sum of money':

A moiety of a tenement and garden Lying in the 7th quarter of Winchelsea having the lands late of Thomas Gray on the E and W the land of Thomas Hooker on the N and the street on the S, which moiety the donor had jointly by the gift of Richard Laycote and Isabel his wife (one of the daughters and heirs of Isabel Gold, late of Winchelsea, deceased) as appears by a fine levied in the court of Winchelsea before John Smythe, late mayor.

Certificate that Margaret was examined, etc; 3 Feb 1551

218 blank

218v Commencement of an entry of Court of Record concerning a plea held before John Halle, mayor, and the jurats [unfinished; remainder blank]

219-21 Common Recovery suffered in the Court of Winchelsea between William Egilston, plaintiff and Thomas Chowte, gent, defendant in a plea of land concerning 2 messuages and 1 garden in Winchelsea; 9 Jun 1551

221v Feoffment from George Chilton, yeoman, and his wife Alice (late wife of Tristram Cosker, deceased) to William Egelston the younger, jurat, all of Winchelsea; consideration: 'a certain sum of money'

Garden in the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in Winchelsea having the street on the W, a tenement late of Robert Stonaker on the N, the tenement of John Bisshope on the E and the tenement late of William Berde on the S, which garden Alice jointly with her late husband had by the gift of Gervase Poynham late of Winchelsea.

Certificate that Alice was examined, etc.

Witnesses: George Lowes, mayor, John Hall, Thomas Egelstone; 19 Dec 1551

222 Feoffment from John Broode of Lewes, merchant and Mercy his wife to William Egelstone, jurat, of Winchelsea Consideration 'a certain sum of money':

A tenement with garden lying in the 2nd quarter of Winchelsea having the street on the E and S, the tenement of James Glasby, late of John Wattes, on the W and a garden late of [blank] Baslye and now of the heirs of [blank] Nately on the N.

Certificate that Mercy was examined, etc; 1 Feb 1552

222-3 blank

223v-4 Another copy of the deed of this date enrolled on f221v; 19 Dec 1551

224v Feoffment from Henry Gooderyk, clerk, rector of Hothfield in Kent, and his wife Joan, to George Lowes of Winchelsea, gent

Two gardens lying separately in Winchelsea, the one having stone walls built round it called Trey Jues Hall lying in the 19th quarter having the street on the W, the garden of Robert Holden on the N, the garden of George Lowys and the heirs of Robert Tokey on the E and the garden of the heirs of William Hoode on the S, the other lying in the 9th quarter, having the street on the E, the lands of Goddard White on the S, W and N, both which gardens descended to Joan from her mother (daughter and heir of William Bate, late of Winchelsea, deceased).

Certificate that Joan was examined, etc.

Witnesses to the sealing: William Egelstone, mayor, John Peend, Robert Lucy, John Nethersowle, jurats, Thomas Hoker, town clerk; 2 May 1552

225 blank

225v-6 Another copy of the deed of this date enrolled on f222; 1 Feb 1552

226v Feoffment from John Milwarde, baker, and his wife Alice to William Egelstone:

1 A messuage and garden lying in the parish of St Thomas the Apostle in Winchelsea, having the street on the E, the lands of Roger Benson on the S the lands of the donors on the W and the lands of John Milward on the N.

2 A plot of land (half acre) in the 13th quarter of Winchelsea having the lands of the rectory there on the W, the lands of Thomas Rogers on the N, the lands of the heirs of Richard Feret and John Lunceforde on the E and the street on the S.

3 Another plot of land (1 acre) in the parish of St Giles in Winchelsea, having the lands of the rector of that parish and lands of the donee on the E, the street on the N and W and the cemetery on the S.

Certificate that Alice was examined, etc; 21 Dec 1553

227 blank

227v-8 Bargain and Sale from Edmund Robertes of Hawkhurst in Kent to John Love the younger, merchant; Consideration: £100:

A messuage and two gardens in the 8th quarter of Winchelsea having the street on the N and W, the tenement and garden of the heirs of John Wattes on the E and the tenement and garden of the heirs of William Egelstone on the S.

Power of attorney to Henry Pecke and John Pecke to deliver seisin; 4 Jan 1557

228v blank

229-0v Common Recovery suffered in the Court of Winchelsea between Edmund Robertes, plaintiff, John, William and Roger Harlackenden, defendants, William Pollet, vouchee, in a plea of land concerning:

The site of a house lately dissolved called the Grey Friers in Winchelsea with all appurtenances and a messuage and garden in 'Fisshers Strett', a barn and close and four pieces of land, all in Winchelsea.

Pledges for the plaintiff: Thomas Nutt and Richard Dale; 2 Aug 1558

231 Feoffment from John Renne of Rye, innholder, and his wife Agnes (late wife of Richard Sergeant of Winchelsea, deceased) to Anthony Hatton of Pevensey, shoemaker; Consideration: 'a certain sum':

A messuage and a close in the 6th quarter of Winchelsea, having the tenement and lands of Thomas Bab on the S, the street on the W, a certain road next to the wall of the town on the E and the tenement and lands of Thomas Egilsten and Margaret Standeley, widow, on the N; which property Richard Sergeant left to Agnes in his will.

Certificate that Agnes was examined, etc; 5 Aug 1561

231v blank

232-48 missing

249 blank

249v-55v Common Courts [undated] - 8 May 1555

256 Only a fragment remains

257-79v Common Courts [undated] - 14 Sep 1557

280 Court of Piepowder, 15 Sep 1557

280v-3v Common Courts, 28 Sep 1557 - 18 Jan 1558

284-5 missing

286-7 Common Courts [undated] - 24 May 1558

English

This volume is bound in leather supported by three spinal straps, the central one passing round the book and fastening with a buckle. The decoration consists of blind-tool devices, conventional roses, squirrels, lions passant, fleur-de-lys, double-headed eagles and four castles, the three latter in lozenges, the animals in squares and the roses 'free'. These decorations are made up in panels divided by fillets, differing back and front. The work is perhaps Flemish or at least influenced by continental craftsmen.